Eglin takes threat of aircraft, bird collisions seriously

  • Published
  • By Noel Getlin
  • Team Eglin Public Affairs
EGLIN AIR FORCE BASE, Fla. --  The world of aviation has long known that bird strikes on aircraft are common, costly and deadly. But when a flock of Canada geese recently brought down an airliner larger than an NBA basketball court, the rest of the world became aware, too. 

"It was an unfortunate thing that happened in New York," said Marty Daniel, one of two U.S. Department of Agriculture contractors here. "There were a lot of people who didn't know a bird could cause that kind of damage. That in itself brought public awareness to our kind of work." 

Mr. Daniel and Charles Kara are wildlife biologists tasked with carrying out the Bird and Wildlife Aircraft Strike Hazard program, known as BASH. The two men in the Air Armament Safety Office work in conjunction with the 46th Test Wing and other agencies to eliminate wildlife threats on Eglin and its ranges, including Duke Field and the Northwest Florida Regional Airport. 

According to U.S. Air Force wildlife statistics, there were 4,790 bird strikes on Air Force aircraft in 2007 costing $125 million in damages. There were 15 air strikes near airfields at Eglin and Duke Field in 2008, and 32 reported off site. 

There's been a drop in aircraft and bird collisions since 2004 when 21 birds struck aircraft, and that's no accident. Mr. Daniel and Mr. Kara came to Eglin in May 2005 to refocus efforts on the BASH program. At the time, the program several agencies managed the program. Now their addition allows one agency to coordinate the efforts and get to duties in a timely manner. 

The scientists say the majority of their work is around the airfields because the most dangerous time for aircraft is during take off and landing. But low-level flying is also an opportunity for collisions with large birds, such as turkey vultures, hawks, eagles, falcons and kestrels. These birds of prey hunt from a much higher altitude that puts them in the path of C-130s performing low-level missions. 

"It's not just big birds that are threats, but the flocks of small birds like mourning doves, the European starlings and killdeer that get sucked into the engine intakes," Mr. Kara said. Bird strikes can damage the engine blades causing it to shut down, as well as sever fuel lines. If birds collide with other parts of the plane, they can go through canopies, wings, cone radar in the nose of the plane, and damage a number of sensors and antennas. 

The wildlife biologists are out on the range at least twice a week to survey different areas. They look for unwanted wildlife and the conditions that may have attracted them. 

"There's always a reason that wildlife is in the area," said Mr. Daniel. "Something is attracting them there. So if you have a specific area they are (gathering), you go and try to figure out the source of the problem." 

They perform an assessment of which species inhabit the area and its interaction with ecosystem because Eglin hosts a number of endangered and protected species. Then they monitor the situation to determine whether the threat justifies the action and if so, they decide how to eliminate the threat. 

They employ several tools, such as pyrotechnic shells fired from pistols that include bangers, screamers and whistlers, drive trucks with sirens and lights, lasers, and fire arms. They use lethal measures only if there is no other option. They've also successfully used effigies to deter Turkey vultures. 

"In November, there was an influx of turkey vultures near the approach of Runway 19," said Mr. Daniel. "We figured out a vulture effigy is a good way to go because it's nonlethal and quiet." Effigies are hanged upside down in tall trees and even cell phone towers at the altitude the birds fly. "If you can hang it in the birds' travel corridor or their roost, they don't like it." 

But these methods are considered reactive and both men prefer to be proactive and use nonlethal techniques. 

"We concentrate more on habitat modification to prevent birds and mammals from being there in the first place," Mr. Daniel said. "You're always going to have a problem. No matter how many times you shot or scare them away, they'll just keep coming back."
There are regulations now to keep grass around airfields around 14 inches high to discourage flocking birds. Tall grass prevents the birds from seeing each other to warn against imminent danger. It's also harder for the birds to find the insects and seeds they eat in the tall grass. The base also uses insecticides and cuts down fruit and berry trees because they attract insects. 

One of the most effective methods, the biologists say is education, -- "getting the word out." Mr. Kara said residents in areas bordering Eglin proper near the runways can contribute to decreasing bird strikes by not planting ornamental and fruit trees that attract birds. 

Other methods of modifying the habitat include removing animal carcasses that attract vultures and remove nests that would interfere with flight paths. 

They also trap beavers that build dams near the air field because the dams create fertile grounds for waterfowl. Several birds, like osprey, like to roost over water because it's difficult for predators to reach them. 

But they can't just go out and deal with the problem on their own. There are permits, coordination of resources and conditions that apply. Getting the permits alone can take several months. 

In the past few years, two osprey nests built right off the runway had to be removed.
"You have to go through a special permitting process to remove osprey nests," Mr. Daniel said. "If there are chicks or eggs present, we're required to take them to a wildlife rehabilitator." 

In the case of the turkey vultures, to hang the effigy from a cell phone tower, they had to get permission from the company that owns the tower, then the city of Valparaiso. Additionally, funding comes into play - who's going to pay the guy who climbs the tower. To eliminate the need to repeatedly climb the tower, a cable system has been installed so they can raise and lower the effigy. They look for the easier, most cost-effective and least disruptive methods to eradicate the problem. 

"A lot of times trapping is the best method because you don't have to be there the whole time. Let the trap do the work for you and come back and see if you got the animal you are targeting and then you can relocate it if possible." 

The biologists work hard to keep the balance of nature on Eglin, making sure one solution doesn't become another kind of problem. 

"We are highly skilled," said Mr. Kara, adding that it's not a hunting job like many people think it is. 

"It's about making safer skies for those who fly -- birds and people," said Mr. Daniel.