Birdstrike Risk Reduction Andy Baxter UK Birdstrike Avoidance Team Manager
Fera background • Who we are, our influence and experience • Birdstrike background & definitions • The “Wizz” project • Key findings & lessons learned • Financial implications
Fera background The Food and Environment Research Agency (Fera) is a government research agency employing over 700 scientists, with a turnover of c.£70 million.
The birdstrike team Birdstrike team staff currently chair the International Birdstrike Committee, sit on the European Space Agency Birdstrike Advisory Board, advise the UK CAA and develop SARPS for ICAO, EASA and IBSC.
Birdstrike experience: 162 airports in 33 countries in 6 continents (7?) • Romania • Poland • BAA Group • Norway • CAA • Abu Dhabi • Bulgaria • Birmingham • Dubai • Spain • London City • New Zealand • Cyprus • Luton • Australia • Gibraltar • Jersey • Morocco • Belgium • Isle of Man • Falklands • Italy • Derry • Mongolia • Hungary • Guernsey • India • Germany • Norwich • Hong Kong • Serbia • Southend • South Korea • Netherlands • MoD
Current delivery: • Standards Checks & Off-airfield Survey (40 airports this year) • Training (CAA, airports, MoD) • Certification standards (MoD) • Remains Identification (Airlines, Airframe and Engine Manufacturers) • Risk assessment , SMS & Standards checks (Airlines, CAA’s, Airports). • Project management (Airports & Government)
Reporting in the UK Article143 of the Air Navigation Order (Mandatory Reporting of Birdstrikes), “..the commander of an aircraft is required to make a report to the CAA of any birdstrike occurrence that occurs whilst the aircraft is in flight within United Kingdom airspace.
Airline Issue... IBSC definition Confirmed strikes: • Any reported collision between a bird or other wildlife and an aircraft for which evidence in the form of a carcass, remains or damage to the aircraft is found. • Any bird/wildlife found dead on an airfield where there is no other obvious cause of death (e.g. struck by a car, flew into a window etc.). - Evidence Serious incidents: • Incidents where the presence of birds/wildlife on or around the airfield has any effect on a flight whether or not evidence of a strike can be found. - Effect Unconfirmed strikes: • Any reported collision between a bird or other wildlife and an aircraft for which no physical evidence is found.
Results
Who stomachs the cost? - EASA current estimates: • Average cost of a non-damaging birdstrike €15,000 • Average cost of a damaging birdstrike €150,000 • Total annual cost to industry +€1 billion • Airlines & Insurers
Project • ICAO safety indicator is 1 birdstrike per 1000 departures (5 per 10,000 ‘movements’). • Wizzair identified 25 airports above this ICAO level (range 1.0 to 10.7) • Fera employed to review data and visit airports to evaluate compliance with international standards.
The Service • Desk based evaluation of high ‘risk’ airports assessing possible on and off airfield birdstrike hazards • Airport visit (with Wizz personnel) to review procedures, implementations in relation to best practice standards and identification of background (off-airfield) hazard levels. • Report to airline with recommendations for requesting action plan (enhanced bird control) from the airport • Follow-up visits and on-going support
Specific checks of:
Bird Control Programme • Does the airport have a policy document? • Does the airport operate an evidence-based SMS? • What information informs the SMS process? • Are the roles and responsibilities clearly defined and understood by all concerned?
Recording • Check quality of data entry • Assess analysis undertaken • Check for birdstrike records and actions • Remains identification
Airside Habitat Management • Identify attractants • Assess airside grass & determine maintenance schedule • Consider built environment
Active Bird Control • Assess range of equipment used • Assess quality of use – automated vs operated • Assess cooperation with other staff
Training • Check whether personnel trained • Assess efficacy of training received • Identify training requirements
13km off-airfield monitoring • Assess ICAO compliance • Assess methodology used • Evaluate progress made • Suggest improvements
Report to airline • Review of risk / background bird population at airport • Evaluation of control measures and how they’re deployed (not just tick boxes) • Assessment of habitat management efforts • Comments on management structure • Recommendations
Recommendations made
Follow up visits • Repeat visit during key risk periods • Assess progress made & credit improvements • Identify ongoing problem areas • Develop longer term management strategies
Results: • 20% reduction in Wizzair birdstrike rate comparing 1 st quarter 2010 to 1 st quarter 2011. • >45% reduction in Wizzair birdstrike rate comparing 2 nd quarter 2010 to 2 nd quarter 2011.
The benefits (Wizzair data) • Minimum reduction to date (20%) = 29 birdstrikes • €15,000 (assuming no damaging strikes) per birdstrike = €435,000 savings to airline per year. • Payoff @ £5k-£10k per airport - < 6 months
Andy Baxter UK Birdstrike Avoidance Team Manager Fera, Sand Hutton York YO62 4JN Tel: 01904 462071 Email: andy.baxter@fera.gsi.gov.uk
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