1. Home
2. Air Transportation
3. Airports
4. Aerodromes and Air Navigation
5. Standards
6. Wildlife Control
7. TP 12422 - Bird Avoidance Brochure

TP 12422 - Bird Avoidance Brochure

(revised 11/2009)

To purchase or to view/download alternate formats of this publication, visit Transport Canada's Online Publications Storefront.

• INTRODUCTION
• PLANNING THE FLIGHT
• AT THE AIRPORT AND IN FLIGHT
• AFTER FLIGHT
• SUMMARY

INTRODUCTION

Birds have been a potential hazard to aircraft since the beginning of air travel. Despite their relatively small size, birds can cause considerable damage to aircraft when the two collide, mainly due to the high speed of the aircraft. Resulting damage most commonly involves turbofan engines, but may include bent or broken rotor blades, blocked engine air intake screens, distorted or smashed windshields, and dented, torn or perforated tail structures.

Worldwide, bird strikes have been responsible for the destruction of civil, general and military aircraft as well as numerous human casualties. In order to reduce the numbers of such occurrences, it is important to be aware of the possibility and seriousness of bird strikes. The intent of this brochure is to help pilots decrease the chance of a bird strike incident, as well as to minimize the consequences of a bird strike if one does occur.

Fort Frances, Ontario (1994)
Crash on takeoff resulting from
engine damage caused by gulls.

PLANNING THE FLIGHT

a. Check airport documentation and NOTAM (issued by some countries as BIRDTAM) for information about permanent or seasonal bird problems at both departure and destination airports.

b. If there are two pilots, discuss emergency procedures before departure, including those if cockpit communications are lost, or if the windshield is penetrated.

c. Up to 80-90 knots, birds have time to get out of the way but the higher the speed, the greater the chance of a strike. Consider the use of goggles and helmet during air racing or other high-speed, low-altitude operations.

d. Plan to fly as high as possible. Very few general aviation bird strikes occur above 3,000 ft.

Dunlins, Small bird, Weight 58 g (2 oz)

e. While most bird species are active primarily during the day, bear in mind that many birds do fly at night, as well as during dawn and dusk.

f. There are three peaks during the year at which there is a greater risk of a bird strike. One is in March and April during the spring migration; one is in September and October during the fall migration; and the last is in July and August when many inexperienced young birds are present, and the flying abilities of adults may be impaired as they molt their flight feathers.

g. Avoid flying over bird and wildlife sanctuaries, landfill sites and fish packing facilities.

h. Avoid flying along rivers or shorelines, especially at low altitude. Birds, as well as pilots, use these navigational features.

Herring Gulls, Medium bird,
Weight 1,100 g (2 lb.)

i. Avoid flying at low altitudes over offshore islands, headlands, cliffs, inland waters and shallow estuaries so as not to disturb nesting colonies, and to minimize the possibility of bird strikes.

Destroyed jet engine due
to bird strike. Aircraft
on takeoff phase,
50 ft. AGL, 140 knots.

Birds of prey have been reported to attack gliders and other aircraft!

Jet Ranger bubble destroyed
by bird strike.

AT THE AIRPORT AND IN FLIGHT

a. In the springtime, thorough pre-flight inspection of the aircraft is necessary as birds can build a nest almost overnight. Any signs of grass, leaves or twigs should lead to further investigation of hard-to-inspect corners. A nest under the cowling can catch fire, or one in the tail area can restrict the flying controls.

b. As you taxi out, listen for any warnings of bird activity on the ATIS.

c. When taxiing, watch for birds on the airport, and report all unusual bird activity to the Air Traffic Control (ATC) or Flight Service Station (FSS) and request that airport personnel disperse them before you take off. Never use an aircraft to scare birds away.

Feathers in oil cooler -
resulting from bird strike.

d. If you are flying a quiet aircraft remember that birds on the ground face into wind and may not hear or see you coming.

e. If birds are seen, note that the slower the bird’s wing-beat, the larger the bird and therefore the greater the expected damage. Large, flocking birds present the biggest threat to aircraft.

f. If the aircraft has windshield heating, remember that its use, in accordance with the Pilots Operating Handbook or Flight Manual, will make the windshield more pliable and better able to withstand bird impact.

Red-tailed Hawk,
Medium/large bird,
Weight 1,200 g (2.5 lb.)

g. Use landing lights during takeoff, climb, descent, approach and landing. (Most bird strikes occur during these phases of flight). Although there is no conclusive evidence that birds see and avoid aircraft lights, they will make the aircraft more visible.

h. If a bird strike occurs during the takeoff run, and there is sufficient runway remaining, stop. Vacate the runway and shut down. Inspect the intake, engine, etc., for damage or ingestion, or for bird remains that may be blocking cooling or other airflow ducts. Several airline incidents have occurred where turbine engine damage or high vibration developed during subsequent flights because of undetected engine damage. Don’t forget to check landing gear and brake hydraulic lines, down locks, weight switches, etc.

i. If the takeoff must be continued with an engine problem, properly identify the affected engine and execute emergency procedures. Advise the airport why you are returning.

Canada Goose, Large bird,
Weight 3,500 g (7.5 lb.)

j. If you see birds ahead of you, attempt to pass above them as birds usually breakaway downward when threatened. Be careful when near the ground, and never do anything that will lead to a stall or spin.

k. If structural or control system damage is suspected (or the windshield is perforated) consider the need for a controllability check before attempting a landing. Be wary of unseen helicopter rotor damage.

l. If the windshield is broken or cracked, slow the aircraft to reduce wind blast, follow approved procedures (depressurize on pressurized aircraft), use sunglasses or smoke goggles to reduce the effect of wind, precipitation, or debris; but remember to fly the aircraft — don’t be too distracted by the blood, feathers, smell, and windblast.

Note:

Small general aviation aircraft and helicopter windshields are not required to withstand bird impact and the propeller gives little protection. However, most aircraft between 2300 kg (5000 lb) and 5700 kg (12,600 lb) can withstand a 900 g (2 lb) bird strike. Some birds, such as gulls and pigeons, can perforate light aircraft windshields.

m. If dense bird concentrations are expected, avoid high-speed descent and approach. Halving the speed results in a quarter of the impact energy.

n. If flocks of birds are encountered during approach, go around for a second attempt because the approach may then be clear.

Bird strike damage due to Turkey Vulture.

AFTER FLIGHT

a. After landing, if you have had a bird strike, inspect the aircraft for damage.

b. Report all bird strikes either through the online database (http://wwwapps.tc.gc.ca/Saf-Sec-Sur/2/bsis/), a pink bird strike reporting form,
or the bird strike hotline (1-800-282-BIRD).

c. If possible, photograph any damage and send to Transport Canada, Wildlife Management Specialist (AARTA).

SUMMARY

• Perform thorough pre-flight inspections of the aircraft. Bird nests can be built (or rebuilt) overnight.
• Check NOTAM / ATIS for bird activity at departure and destination airport.
• If you see hazardous birds on or near runways, have airport personnel move them BEFORE you take off.
• Delay take off if wildlife activity is too high. Abort take off if a bird strike has occurred and there is sufficient runway remaining. If take off cannot be aborted, identify affected engine and execute emergency procedures.
• Plan to fly as high as possible - most bird strikes occur below 3,000 ft.
• Avoid routes over areas known to attract birds.
• The higher the speed of an aircraft, the greater the risk of a bird strike and the greater the potential damage.
• Birds usually escape by diving, so try to fly over them, but do NOT risk a stall or spin.
• Most general aviation aircraft windshields are not required to be able to withstand bird strikes. If the windshield is broken, avoid distraction - FLY THE AIRCRAFT.
• Report all bird strikes using the online database, the hotline, or bird strike report forms. (Photos of damage are helpful.)

Transport Canada
Standards (AARTA)
330 Sparks St.
Ottawa, Ontario
K1A 0N8
Attn: Wildlife Management Specialist

Date modified:

2010-05-03

Primary navigation