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WHY IS THERE
A BIRD STRIKE COMMITTEE USA?
Bird and other wildlife strikes
to aircraft annually cause over $600 million in damage to U.S.
civil and military aviation. Furthermore, these strikes put the lives of
aircraft crew members and their passengers at risk: over 195 people have been
killed worldwide as a result of wildlife strikes since 1988. Within the United
States there was no one forum where
information or concerns dealing with this problem could be addressed. Bird
Strike Committee USA was formed in 1991 to facilitate the exchange of
information, promote the collection and analysis of accurate wildlife strike
data, promote the development of new technologies for reducing wildlife
hazards, promote professionalism in wildlife management programs on airports
through training and advocacy of high standards of conduct for airport
biologists and bird patrol personnel, and be a liaison to similar
organizations in other countries.
Bird Strike Committee USA
is a volunteer organization directed by a 9- to 12-person
steering committee consisting of 2-3 members each from the Federal Aviation Administration, U.S. Department of Agriculture, Department of Defense, and aviation
industry.
WHEN AND WHERE DOES BIRD STRIKE COMMITTEE USA
MEET?
The organization meets annually in conjunction
with Bird Strike Committee Canada. The 2004
meeting, held in Baltimore, Maryland
on 13-17 September, was highly successful.
The meeting had 434 attendees from 23 countries, including 45 Airport
Certification Inspectors from the Federal Aviation Administration.
WHAT HAPPENS AT A BIRD STRIKE COMMITTEE USA
MEETING?
There typically are four parts to a Bird Strike
Committee USA
meeting over 3 ½ days. Part 1 is
classroom and field training sessions on wildlife control at airports which cover
both civil and military aviation. Part
2 consists of the presentation of technical papers and posters. Part 3 is exhibits and demonstrations
with vendors. Part 4 is a field
trip which generally covers the host airport and surrounding areas to observe
management programs and habitat issues related to wildlife and aviation
safety.
WHAT SUBJECT AREAS ARE COVERED DURING THE
PAPERS AND REPORTS PORTION OF THE MEETING?
· bird and other wildlife strike reporting/statistics
· bird management and control techniques
· research on new technologies to reduce wildlife hazards
· training in wildlife management on airports
· military concerns of wildlife hazards
· aircraft engines/components related to wildlife hazards
· policy/airport standards concerning wildlife hazards
· land use and environmental issues concerning airports
· bird migration and general ornithology related to aviation
· remote sensing/modeling to detect and predict bird movements
ARE THERE ANY BIRD STRIKE COMMITTEE USA
PUBLICATIONS?
Attendees of the annual meetings receive
abstracts of the technical papers presented and a list of all attendees and
addresses. Copies of papers presented may be obtained from authors who choose
to provide them.
WHO ATTENDS BIRD STRIKE COMMITTEE USA
MEETINGS?
Participation in the annual meetings is open to
any person interested in reducing wildlife hazards to aviation and in
wildlife and environmental management at airports. As examples, people from
the following organizations have attended recent meetings:
· Aircraft Owners and Pilot Association
· Aircraft and Aircraft Engine Manufacturers
· Air Line Pilots Association
· American Association of Airport Executives
· Airport management and operations personnel
· Air Transport Association
· Engineering/Environmental Consulting Firms
· FAA Regional Airport Certification Personnel
· Flight Safety Foundation
Humane Society of the United States
· National Bird Strike Committees
· International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO)
· State Wildlife Agencies
· University and Private Research Facilities
· USDA Wildlife Services
· US Fish and Wildlife Service
· US Department of Defense Personnel
· Wildlife Management Companies
DID YOU KNOW THAT?
· Over 195 people have been killed world-wide as a result of bird strikes
since 1988.
· Wildlife strikes cost U.S.
civil aviation over $500 million/year, 1990-2004.
· Over 4,300 bird strikes were reported by the U.S. Air Force in 2004.
· Over 5,700 bird strikes were reported for U.S.
civil aircraft in 2004.
· An estimated 80% of bird strikes to U.S.
civil aircraft go unreported.
· Waterfowl (32%), gulls (28%), and raptors (17%)
represented 77% of the reported bird strikes causing damage to U.S.
civil aircraft, 1990-2004.
· Over 650 civil aircraft collisions with deer were reported in the U.S.,
1990-2004.
· A 12-lb Canada goose struck by a150-mph aircraft at lift-off generates
the force of a 1,000-lb weight dropped from a height of 10 feet.
· In 1890, 60 European starlings were released in Central
Park, New York City. Starlings are now the second most abundant
bird in North America with a late-summer population of
over 150 million birds. Starlings are
"feathered bullets", having a body density 27% higher than herring
gulls.
· The North American non-migratory Canada goose population increased 3.6
fold from 1 million birds in 1990 to 3.6 million in 2003.
The North American population of
greater snow geese increased from about 50,000 birds in 1966 to 700,000 birds
in 2003.
· The Great Lakes cormorant population increased
from only about 200 nesting adults in 1970 to over 230,000 nesting adults in
2004, a 1,000-fold increase.
· The North American white and brown pelican populations grew at average
annual rates of 2.6% and 3.0%, respectively, 1966-2004.
· At least 15,000 gulls were counted nesting on roofs in U.S.
cities on the Great Lakes during a survey in 1994.
· About 90% of all bird strikes in the U.S.
are by species federally protected under the Migratory Bird Treaty Act.
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Meeting Information
Useful
Links
For further information
contact:
Richard Dolbeer, Chair, BSC-USA
6100 Columbus Avenue
Sandusky, OH 44870
(419) 625-0242
(419)-625-8465 fax
richard.a.dolbeer@aphis.usda.gov
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