While their presence may be welcome elsewhere, wildlife can wreak havoc at an airport. Birds and other animals can damage planes on the ground or cause accidents by flying into the engines or roaming on airport grounds.
To increase awareness of these concerns and to improve safety for all, the N.C. Department of Transportation’s Division of Aviation will offer a free training session at Asheville Regional Airport on June 28. The sessions are open to any North Carolina airport operations personnel from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. and are co-sponsored by the U.S. Department of Agriculture Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service – Wildlife Services.
“Deterring wildlife strikes at airports and ensuring aviation safety is one of the most important aspects of what we do,” said NCDOT Deputy Secretary for Transit Richard Walls. “Every airport in North Carolina should attend to learn the latest techniques from nationally-known experts in the field.”
The training session will include information on the following:
- General overview of wildlife hazards to aviation;
- Review of the Wildlife Hazard Assessment and Wildlife Hazard Management Plan process;
- Rules, regulations, legal reminders and wildlife permits;
- Basic bird and mammal identification;
- Wildlife attractants and habitat management;
- Record keeping and communications;
- Integrated management of wildlife hazards; and
- Safety issues with equipment and procedures.
For more information, contact NCDOT Airport Project Manager Jennifer Fuller at (919) 814-0560 or via e-mail atjmfuller@ncdot.gov.
