AOP 19 Wildlife Management (Aerodrome Operating Procedure)

Transcription

1 AOP 19 Wildlife Management (Aerodrome Operating Procedure) Produced by Airfield Services Document Author Operations Support Manager

2 Contents 1 SECTION 1 - WILDLIFE MANAGEMENT Aims and Objectives Responsibility... 6 Operating Procedures Techniques Bioacoustics Bird Scaring: Bird Scaring Cartridges (BSC):... 7 Visual Techniques: Lethal Methods: Habitat Management... 7 Patrols Night Patrols... 7 Bird Strike Record Keeping... 8 Page 2 of 8

3 AOP 19 Wildlife Management Page 3 of 8

4 Amendment Record The following list of amendments clearly details the agreed amendment made to the Aerodrome manual. Each amendment will be detailed and highlighted to all recipients on the distribution list for promulgation to all staff where applicable. The amendment date is the actual date amended in the live document available on the LBA website and will be considered in force from that date onwards. Any deletions will be marked with STIKETHROUGH and any additions or amendments will be UNDERLINED IN RED. Amendment Number: Amendment Date: Paragraph Updated: Incorporated by (NAME): Detail: JB Section 1 Para James Baldwin Paragraph reworded to better reflect lethal control methods and their applicability. JB Section 1 Para James Baldwin Maintenance & Facilities manager replaced with HAS JB Section 1 Para. 1.7 James Baldwin Paragraph reworded to better reflect record keeping methods and their applicability. Page 4 of 8

5 Amendment Number: Amendment Date: Paragraph Updated: Incorporated by (NAME): Detail: Page 5 of 8

6 1.1 Aims and Objectives 1 SECTION 1 - Wildlife Management ADR.OPS.B.020 states the aerodrome operator shall: assess the wildlife hazard on, and in the surrounding, of the aerodrome; establish means and procedures to minimise the risk of collisions between wildlife and aircraft, at the aerodrome; and Notify the appropriate authority if a wildlife assessment indicates conditions in the surroundings of the aerodrome are conducive to a wildlife hazard problem. Leeds Bradford Airport takes all reasonable and practicable measures to ensure that risks to flying operations at the Airport are minimised from birds/wildlife. This is achieved through: The provision of trained, well equipped and competent staff to detect and deter birds on and around the airfield. The provision of appropriate and effective equipment. The provision of appropriate and effective control measures. The management of the airfield habitat, so that the airfield is unattractive to hazardous birds. The safeguarding of the surrounding area from new bird attractants. Warnings to pilots whenever a birdstrike risk is deemed significant by the Bird Controller/ATC. Continuous risk assessment When bird strikes do take place, the Airport Company will report these in line with guidelines provided by the Civil Aviation Authority. Birds will be dispersed in accordance with the methods and recommendations of CAP 772 and the Wildlife & Countryside Act Bird control procedures shall be subjected to the Airport Company internal audit system. 1.2 Responsibility The HAS/AOU are responsible for the establishment, administration and review of the LBA Bird/Wildlife hazard control plan. The day-to-day responsibility for bird hazard control rests with the AOU/RFFS Only those persons who have attended the appropriate bird control courses and are familiar with the requirements of the LBA Bird/Wildlife hazard management plan and CAP 772 or Airside Operations shall undertake bird control duties. 1.3 Operating Procedures Measures are taken to limit activities which could be attractive to birds, and to avoid careless disposal of edible matter and waste material. The immediate environs are monitored to detect any activities which could also prove attractive to birds. Page 6 of 8

7 1.4 Techniques The following techniques are used at Leeds Bradford Airport to reduce the bird population on the aerodrome: Bioacoustics Bird Scaring: Birds will react to the distress calls of other birds (particularly if from their own species) by taking flight and approaching the source to investigate, and will be left vulnerable to attack when the broadcast is stopped. Not to be used during the hours of darkness Bird Scaring Cartridges (BSC): Cartridges can be used to disperse the presence of birds on the aerodrome. A firearm licence is required. Not to be used during the hours of darkness Visual Techniques: Arm waving and lures shall only be used occasionally, either to support Bioacoustics methods or at night Lethal Methods: The culling of bird species is subject to Natural England regulations. Only species listed in Airport Class License WML CL12 may be culled. For any other species a specific license must be acquired from Natural England. A shotgun and air rifle will be used for lethal wildlife control. They should be employed as a last resort if other non-lethal methods fail to remove the presence of birds on the aerodrome Habitat Management Leeds Bradford Airport employs a grass management policy in accordance with the principles outlined in CAP 772. Long grass is maintained at 150mm, not exceeding 200mm. The administration of the Grass Management Policy rests with the HAS. See also, Leeds Bradford Airport: Bird/Wildlife Hazard management Plan. 1.5 Patrols It is recommended that bird control patrols shall be carried out in the following circumstances: At first light and at dusk. Regular patrols throughout the day are also required. Whenever ATC observe significant numbers of birds on or in the immediate vicinity of the Aerodrome, they shall request a bird patrol. It continues to be an ATC responsibility to warn aircrews whenever a bird hazard is considered to exist Night Patrols Bird Control patrols at night shall be restricted to the movement area to ensure the movement area is free from the presence of birds. AOU will undertake night patrols 30 minutes ahead of an aircraft movement assuming it follows a break in movements exceeding this period. ATC can request a patrol having identified a hazard. See also Leeds Bradford Airport: Bird/Wildlife Hazard Management plan. Page 7 of 8

8 1.6 Bird Strike A full runway check will be made following any report of a bird strike or suspected bird strike. Any debris (feathers alone are insufficient) will be removed, placed in a plastic bag, and if necessary, sent for an analysis. If the bird remains cannot be fully removed before the next aircraft movement then essential information will be given to all pilots of landing or departing aircraft as soon as possible, including: Whether it is a single or multiple strike Position on the runway or airfield if known Any delay involved Details of any other birds settling on the affected area; and Any adverse braking action reported. 1.7 Record Keeping A bird control log is provided and maintained. This should be completed every time a bird control run or activities are carried out. In the event of a bird strike occurring, being reported, or a bird carcass or remains found then an internal Safety Incident Report (SIR) shall be completed along with a CAA W/1282 Birdstrike Occurrence Form. This is submitted to the CAA and the automatic receipt is saved to the relevant folder. Bird strike reports are added to the SIR analysis spreadsheet and reviewed in the LBA ASC. Bird control records are continually evaluated and used to build up a local intelligence of bird movements to help pre-plan bird control duties. All bird strike records will be reviewed annually by the Head of Airfield Services. Page 8 of 8