Bird Strikes- Important Role of Air Traffic Controllers

Introduction

Birds are a major hazard to aviation and have been responsible in causing loss of aircraft, helicopters and loss of valuable human lives. Prevention of bird strikes is a joint responsibility of Aircraft, Helicopter Operators, Flight Crew, Regulator, Airport Operators and Air Traffic Controllers. An involved, aware and alert Controller can be of great assistance to air crew in mitigating the consequences of a bird hit.

According to a study conducted on bird strike incidents involving transport aircraft, in 41% of bird strikes, the impact was on the aircraft engines. Another equally large proportion of impacts are distributed between the aircraft nose, radome and flight deck windscreens.

Air traffic controllers dealing with a bird strike event, should therefore, have in mind that bird ingestion in multiple engines, reduced visibility from the flight deck or windscreen penetration, especially with smaller fixed wing aircraft and helicopters, can all lead to loss of control. Reduced visibility and windscreen penetration may result  in the further potential consequences of interference with air to ground radio communications and even  flight crew incapacitation.

There is no set of ready out-of-the-box rules to be followed universally. As with any unusual or emergency situation, controllers should exercise their best judgment and expertise when dealing with the apparent consequences of a hazardous bird strike

Possible Consequences of a Bird Strike.

• Engine failure (single or multiple engines).
• Broken windshield / canopy
• Hydraulic
• Handling difficulties.
• Electrical
• Landing Gear problems.
• Crew incapacitation.

Likely Crew Actions

If a flight has experienced a bird strike, the controller may expect:-

• Rejected take-off.
• Immediate return to land.
• Landing at the next suitable aerodrome
• Restricted visibility from the flight deck
• Impaired aircraft control during the landing roll (for example landing gear or brakes malfunction).

Suggested Actions by ATC.

• Acknowledge the bird strike, ask for the crews’ intentions when the situation permits, minimise frequency changes, and establish whether the crew is able to control the aircraft.
• Separate the aircraft from other traffic, prioritise it for landing (allow long final if requested), keep the active runway clear of departures, arrivals and vehicles; Silence the non-urgent calls (as required) and use separate frequency where possible.
• Inform the airport emergency services and all concerned parties according to local procedures.
• Support the flight experiencing the consequences of the bird strike with  any information requested and deemed necessary (e.g. type of approach, runway length and aerodrome details, etc.).
• Provide time for the crew to assess the situation, don’t press with non urgent matters.
• In case of a bird strike occurring on take-off or landing, the runway must be checked to ensure it is clean from any debris  and/or bird remains. Bird remains should be kept to assist any subsequent investigation and, if necessary, passed to an appropriate authority for identification.

Responsibilities of ATC.

(a) Routinely scan for the presence of flocking birds, especially large ones, in the vicinity of runways about to be used for a takeoff or landing, including the initial climb out / final approach paths;

(b) Maintain close contact with the Airport Operator and request and coordinate bird   dispersal actions before take-off and landing, as necessary;

(c)  If unable to get the birds removed, communicate any relevant presence of birds     to pilots with their location and apparent direction of movement.

(d)  Include appropriate cautionary advice in the ATIS recording.

(e) In case of persistent bird activity, perhaps attributable to a particular attractant but also including active migration routes, NOTAMs should be raised and cancelled when the threat has passed.

(f) The bird activity is likely to increase after grass cutting, specially after rains since  birds are attracted to insects/reptiles which get exposed or killed during grass/vegetation removal. Caution the aircraft/helicopters accordingly.