Draft
Strategic Plan for Bird Strike Committee-USA (August 2008)
Bird Strike Committee-USA meetings have grown in popularity
over the past decade in concert with the growing conflict between wildlife and
aviation. John Ostrom, newly elected
(Aug 2008) chairperson of BSC-USA, has developed a draft Strategic Plan to
enable the organization to serve the aviation community in a more comprehensive
fashion to mitigate the risks of wildlife strikes. This plan has been reviewed and discussed by
the BSC-USA Steering Committee at the Aug 2008 meeting in
The Steering Committee
requests comments on the draft Strategic Plan from attendees at BSC-USA/Canada
meetings. Comments should be directed by
30 November 2008 to:
John Ostrom, Chair, BSC-USA
Metropolitan Airports Commission
Minneapolis-St. Paul Int’l Airport
St. Paul, MN 55111-3010
612-726-5780; 612-726-5074 (fax)
jostrom@mspmac.org
Or to other members of Steering Committee.
The timeline is to have a revised draft completed by
Table of Contents
Introduction.......................................................................... 1
Mission....................................................................................... 1
Vision.......................................................................................... 1
Goals.......................................................................................... 3
SWOT Analysis......................................................................... 4
Objectives and Action Plan.............................................. 5
1. Reorganize Bird Strike Committee USA........................................................................................
5
2.
Establish and
facilitate forums for the effective and impartial exchange of knowledge and
information regarding the nature and management of wildlife hazards to
aviation, best practices and innovative technologies in the aviation and
wildlife management industries...........................................
6
3.
Serve as the
liaison to national/international Bird Strike Committees and to other
professional aviation and wildlife organizations, while providing timely and
informed advice on aviation wildlife hazard management related issues to
governmental agencies, decision makers and others who are responsible for the
nation’s air transportation system...................................................................................
7
4.
Conduct and
promote communications efforts to enhance the awareness of wildlife hazards to
aviation and the efforts being taken to reduce the threat.........................................................................
7
5.
Contribute to the
public’s understanding of wildlife hazard management and its significance to
the safety of air travel............................................................................................................................
7
6.
Promote
professionalism in wildlife management programs on airports through professional
development of individuals currently working in aviation wildlife hazard
management through training and education.............................................................................................................................................................
8
7.
Promote the
collection and analysis of accurate wildlife strike data for military and civil
aviation in the USA as a foundation for a) understanding the nature of strike
hazards, b) developing effective and appropriate management programs and c)
evaluating the efficacy of management programs
8
8.
Anticipate future
wildlife challenges to aviation and provide leadership in promoting education,
research and development of effective methods for reducing wildlife hazards to
aviation................. 9
Introduction
Bird Strike Committee USA (BSC USA) was established in 1991 and is an independent non-profit, volunteer organization that facilitates the exchange of information, promotes the collection and analysis of accurate wildlife strike data, promotes the development of new technologies for reducing wildlife hazards, promotes professionalism in wildlife management programs on airports through training and advocacy of high standards of conduct for airport biologists and airport wildlife management personnel, and is a liaison to similar organizations in other countries.
BSC USA is 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, airports and aviation industry.
In response to expected challenges within the industry as well as the upcoming loss of BSC USA’s long standing Chairman, the Committee decided it was time to develop a strategic plan that would carry it into the future. This Strategic Plan identifies and outlines the goals and objectives for the next 3 years. The Plan seeks to integrate BSC USA’s unique strengths – its core member agencies, the commitment of those interested to serve and a strong desire to make this organization something greater than a sum of its individuals.
Bird Strike Committee USA is dedicated to providing leadership to the aviation wildlife hazard management community through the exchange of information, training, education, and promotion of research and development to reduce the threat of wildlife hazards to aircraft operations.
Vision
An integrated global network of aviation and wildlife management professionals working together to significantly reduce the threat of wildlife hazards to aviation.
SWOT Analysis
1.
Strengths
A. Limited number of Steering Committee members (small group)
B. Steering Committee members committed to the organization.
C. Steering Committee members’ Agencies committed to the organization.
D. Good cross section of aviation and wildlife industries represented.
E. Simple organization (little to no bureaucracy)
F. Continuity of business due to semi-permanent members on the Committee.
G. Good working relationships with BSC Canada and IBSC.
H. Partnership with AAAE.
I. Quality of the annual conferences with international participation
J. Recognized as training providers
K. Reputation of the organization
L. Science based.
2. Weaknesses
A. Limited number of Steering Committee members (small group).
B. Volunteer organization.
C. Very little turn over of Steering Committee members.
D. Not enough representation of aviation industries involved in the organization.
E. Committee perceived as a “good old boys club”.
F. No single message, brand or face of the organization.
3. Opportunities
A. Committee receptive and open to reorganization.
B. There is no one else doing what the organization does.
C. Aviation wildlife threats continue to increase.
D. Future partnerships with the academic, safety, manufacturer and science communities.
E. It’s only a matter of time….
F. Training/education
4. Threats
A. Committee chairman retiring.
B. Lack of funding.
C. Lack of interest.
D. Other entities entering the market
Goals
Objectives and Action Plan
1)
Reorganize
Bird Strike Committee
A) Create an Executive Board consisting of:
1) President
2) Vice-President (President elect)
3) Past President
4) One representative from each of the following groups:
(1) Federal Aviation Administration
(2) USDA Wildlife Services
(3) DOD
(4) Airports
(5) Airlines
(6) Aviation/wildlife industry
5) Staff – Executive Director
Timeline:
December, 2008
B) Restructure the Steering Committee with the following representation:
1) Two representatives from each of the following groups:
(1) Federal Aviation Administration
(2) USDA Wildlife Services
(3) DOD
(4) Airports
(5) Airlines
(6) Aviation/wildlife industry
2) Chairperson from one of the groups above
Timeline:
December 2008
C) Establish the following committees with chairpersons:
1) Membership
2) Standards/Ethics
3) Annual Conference/technical program
4) Certification, training and education
5) Communication/publications
6) Research and development
7) Bylaws
8) Operations/best practices
Timeline:
March 2009
D) Revise the existing Bylaws to reflect the reorganization of BSC USA.
Timeline: October 2008
E) Hire an Executive Director
Timeline:
October 2008
F) Establish
formal membership to Bird Strike Committee
Timeline:
June 2009
G) Rename Bird Strike Committee USA (BSC USA) to Wildlife Strike Council International – USA (WSCI – USA)
Timeline: October 2008
2)
Establish
and facilitate forums for the effective and impartial exchange of knowledge and
information regarding the nature and management of wildlife hazards to
aviation, best practices and innovative technologies in the aviation and
wildlife management industries.
A) Establish and sponsor regional aviation wildlife hazard workshops for members of the flying community.
Timeline: June 2009
B) Redesign the BSC USA website to include discussion forums for aviation wildlife management issues.
Timeline: March 2009
C) Establish a formal alliance with Transport Canada, the International Bird Strike Committee and other international groups to hold regular joint international meetings.
Timeline: October 2010
3)
Serve as a
liaison to national/international Bird Strike Committees and to other
professional aviation and wildlife organizations, while providing timely and
informed advice on aviation wildlife hazard management related issues to
governmental agencies, decision makers and others who are responsible for the
nation’s air transportation system.
A) Develop a formal relationship with the FAA through a Memorandum of Understanding which identifies BSC USA as the national committee for aviation wildlife hazard issues.
Timeline: June 2010
4)
Conduct and
promote communications efforts to enhance the awareness of wildlife hazards to
aviation and the efforts being taken to reduce the threat.
A) Publish a quarterly newsletter.
Timeline: March 2009
B) Create an informational awareness campaign for the aviation community through the dissemination of posters, flyers, trading cards, coins, etc...
Timeline: June 2009
C) Develop a BSC USA brand and market it.
Timeline: June 2009
D) Develop a communications/marketing plan for aviation wildlife hazard issues aimed at aviation industry trade and news publications and media outlets
Timeline: June 2009
5)
Contribute
to the public’s understanding of wildlife hazard management and its
significance to the safety of air travel.
A) Develop a “public safety” type media campaign describing the positives of airport wildlife management programs targeted to the general public.
Timeline: June 2010
6)
Promote
professionalism in wildlife management programs on airports through
professional development of individuals currently working in aviation wildlife
hazard management through training and education.
A) Expand “Early Bird” training sessions conducted at the annual Bird Strike conferences.
Timeline: August 2010
B) Develop formal partnerships with industry organizations, academia and the private sector such as the American Association of Airport Executives (AAAE), Airports Council International – North America (ACI-NA), and Embry Riddle to endorse their training courses and conferences that meet our standards.
Timeline: December 2009
C) Develop a line of training courses endorsed and branded by BSC USA.
Timeline: December 2010
D) Develop an ethics policy and/or guidelines for professional conduct for personnel conducting wildlife hazard management activities on airports.
Timeline: December 2009
7)
Promote the
collection and analysis of accurate wildlife strike data for military and civil
aviation in the USA as a foundation for a) understanding the nature of strike
hazards, b) developing effective and appropriate management programs and c)
evaluating the efficacy of management programs.
A) Advocate and pursue making all of the data in the FAA’s wildlife strike database available to everyone.
Timeline: June 2009
B) Develop a “Safety Risk Management Best Practices” template for use by airports to asses the risk posed by wildlife to aviation.
Timeline: December 2010
8)
Anticipate
future wildlife challenges to aviation and provide leadership in promoting
education, research and development of effective methods for reducing wildlife
hazards to aviation.
A)
Timeline: