Operators Checklist for Bird Strike Hazard Management
- Operators should have access to up to datebird strike rates for each airport used and develop own bird data based on experience of operating at particular airport
- Whenever high rates of bird activity are established, the Operators should ensure that further investigation of the circumstances at and around an airport is carried out with the assistance of the airport operator.
- It is the responsibility of the operator to ensure that the flight crew are properly informed about known bird hazards which may affect them before commencing their flights.
- The Operator should also make sure that the information related to bird hazard is readily available to the aircrew through NOTAMs.AIP’s etc since flight crew may not have sufficient time to get full awareness about bird hazards.
- Manyaccidents and serious incidents have resulted from inappropriate flight crew responses to bird strikes. It should be ensured that the flight crew is provided with appropriate guidance on response to the hazard. Emphasis must be laid on the contingency of bird ingestion in the engines on short finals and the take off roll. Clear instructions on go around on short finals and reject take off at high speeds should be covered in the SOP’s and disseminated to the crew at regular intervals.
- The Operators need to ensure that flight crew makesreports on all actual or suspected bird strikes and any instances of observed bird activity which they consider could have been hazardous. Flight crew must be instructed to make proper entry into Technical Log Book after any occurrence related to bird strike takes place and clear instructions should exist on the level of authority to clear or defer such entries.
- In order to maximize the value of the report, the report should include the species of the birds if possible and any observed engine thrust or torque fluctuations which might have been associated with an ingestion event.
- Proper instructions should be in place for appropriate levels of maintenance inspection after any flight during which actual or suspected bird strike has occurred, especially if engine ingestion is or may be involved.
- In order to minimize the damage due to bird hits, a maximum speed of 250 KIAS below 10000 feet for climb, level flight and descent should be maintained.
- If an airport is known for heavy bird activity, then SOP should be made for that airport to fly the ICAO Noise Abatement Departure Procedure to minimize flight time at low levels and also to reduce the damage if bird strike occurs.