Wildlife can wreak havoc for airports and their staff. To increase awareness and to improve safety, the North Carolina Department of Transportation’s Division of Aviation will offer free training sessions for airport personnel that are tasked with handling wildlife hazards to aviation. “This training is extremely beneficial for airport owners and operators as we all try to deter wildlife strikes at airports” said Aviation Director Bobby Walston. “A lot of very practical information and hands-on training is provided at these sessions, so we encourage any aviation users to attend.”
The sessions will be hosted on Tuesday, May 19 at Albert J. Ellis Airport (OAJ); Thursday, June 25 at Asheville Regional Airport (AVL); and Wednesday, Dec. 2 at Moore County Airport (SOP).
Seating is limited; please register early, registration is on a first come first serve basis.
Topics that will be discussed include :
· Topics contained in FAA Advisory Circular 150/5200-33 will be discussed;
· General overview of wildlife hazards to aviation in our state and nationally;
· Review of the Wildlife Hazard Assessment and Wildlife Hazard Management Plan Process;
· Rules, regulations, legal reminders, wildlife permits;
· Basic bird and mammal identification;
· Wildlife attractants and habitat management;
· Integrated management of wildlife hazards;
· Record Keeping and communications; and
· Safety issues with equipment and procedures.
“Data shows that damaging wildlife strikes are going down which is due, in part, to this training,” said Jennifer Fuller, Environmental Program Manager for the Division of Aviation. “Airport operators have learned valuable techniques to manage and mitigate wildlife hazards in the AOA.”
For more information and to pre-register, please contact Jennifer M. Fuller, Environmental Program Manager at 919-814-0560 or email jmfuller@ncdot.gov
