Birds In Aviation

Airport Runway Safety Programs

Implemented over a number of years since the creation of the airplane, airport runway safety programs are designed to maintain a secure way for aircraft to takeoffand land. Many dangers exist which can impact the safety of airplanes, prompting the establishment of standard operating procedures.

Bird Strikes

A major concern for airplanes during takeoff andlanding on runways is the possible collision between the plane and birds. While the incidents are relatively common, the fact gained extra attention following the crash of US Airways Flight 1549, anAirbus A320, into the Hudson River in early 2009. Airports have installed a variety of airport runway safety programs designed to mitigate the risk to planes taking off and landing.

Many airportsplant poisonous grass and plants around the vicinity of the airport, which diminish the amount of insects in the area, thereby not attracting birds. The facilities also grow the grass to roughly a foottall, a principle that prevents certain birds from landing in the area. Specialty programs are used in areas where the bird population is high. Some airports simply employ personnel with shotguns,designed to kill and scare off large amounts of birds. Others use falconers who send out birds of prey to kill smaller species. However, the most common method of preventing runway bird strikes is tosimply play recordings of predators over speakers.

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Lighting and Markings

 

Since the beginning of the aviation industry,pilots and ground personnel have utilized a system of lights and markings to make sure planes are guided to the correct location. Modern airport runway safety programs make use of internationalregulations and stipulations that mandate certain criteria. Lights of different colors are placed along the edges, either end and along the center line of the runway in an effort to keep planes on track for...