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| U.S. Department                 |   |                |                 |
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| **Federal Aviation**            |   |                |                 |
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| # **Administration**  {#adminis |   |                |                 |
| tration .Paragraph .unnumbered} |   |                |                 |
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| **Subject:** Qualifications for | # |                | # AC            |
| Wildlife Biologist Conducting   |   |                | No: 150/5200-36 |
| Wildlife Hazard Assessments and | D |                |                 |
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# 1. Purpose. 

This Advisory Circular (AC) describes the qualifications for wildlife
biologists who conduct Wildlife Hazard Assessments for airports
certificated under Title 14, Code of Federal Regulations, Part 139 (14
CFR, Part 139). In addition, it addresses the minimum wildlife hazard
management curriculum for the initial and recurrent training of airport
personnel involved in implementing a Federal Aviation Administration
(FAA) approved Wildlife Hazard Management Plan.

# 2. Background.

Wildlife biologists conducting Wildlife Hazard Assessments or presenting
training for airport personnel actively involved in implementing FAA
approved Wildlife Hazard Management Plans at certificated airports must
have professional training and/or experience in wildlife hazard
management at airports \[§139.337(c) and (f)(7)\]. Airport personnel
actively involved in implementing FAA approved Wildlife Hazard
Management Plans must receive initial training and, every 12 consecutive
months after that, recurrent training \[§139.303(c) and (e)
(Personnel)\].

# 3. Applicability.

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) recommends that public-use
airport operators fulfill the standards and practices contained in this
AC. The holders of Airport Operating Certificates issued under Part 139,
Subpart D, may use the standards, practices, and recommendations
contained in this AC to comply with the wildlife hazard management
requirements of Part 139. The FAA also recommends the guidance in this
AC for persons wishing to conduct Wildlife Hazard Assessments and for
those who help prepare Wildlife Hazard Management Plans or conduct the
requisite training.

# 4. Related Reading Material.

Please review the most recent versions of the following documents:

### FAA AC 150/5200-18C, *Airport Safety Self-Inspection.*

### FAA AC 150/5200-32A, *Reporting Wildlife Aircraft Strikes.*

### FAA AC 150/5200-33A, *Hazardous Wildlife Attractions on or Near Airports.*

### FAA AC 150/5200-34A, *Construction or Establishment of Landfills Near Public Airports.* 

### FAA Office of Safety and Standards, Certalert no. 98-05. *Grasses Attractive to Hazardous Wildlife*. 

### FAA Office of Safety and Standards, Certalert no. 04-09, *Relationship Between FAA and WS.*

### FAA Office of Safety and Standards, Certalert no. 04-16, *Deer Hazard to Aircraft and Deer Fencing.*

### Cleary, E. C., R. A. Dolbeer, and S. E. Wright. .*Wildlife Strikes to Civil Aircraft in the United States.* FAA National Wildlife Aircraft Strike Database Serial Reports. 

### Cleary, E. C. and R. A. Dolbeer. 2005. *Wildlife Hazard Management at Airports: A Manual for Airport Operators*. 2^nd^ Ed. FAA, Office of Airport Safety and Standards, Washington, DC. 347 pages. 

### Report to Congress: *Potential Hazards to Aircraft by Locating Waste Disposal Sites in the Vicinity of Airports*, April 1996, DOT/FAA/AS/96-1.

### Title 14, Code of Federal Regulation, Part 139, Certification of Airports. 

### Title 40, Code of Federal Regulation, Part 258, Criteria for Municipal Solid Waste Landfills.

Some of these documents and other information on wildlife management,
including FAA Certalerts and guidance on siting hazardous wildlife
attractants such as landfills, are available on the FAA website at
<http://www.faa.gov/airports_airtraffic/airports/> or

[http://wildlife‑mitigation.tc.faa.gov/]().

# 5. Professional Qualifications of Wildlife Biologists Conducting Wildlife Hazard Assessments and Wildlife Hazard Management Training at FAA Certificated Airports.

Wildlife biologists conducting airport Wildlife Hazard Assessments must
meet certain education, training, and experience standards.

> §139.337(c) reads: Wildlife Hazard Assessment required in paragraph
> (b) of this section shall be conducted by a wildlife damage management
> biologist who has professional training and/or experience in wildlife
> hazard management at airports or an individual working under direct
> supervision of such an individual.

Airports with an FAA approved Wildlife Hazard Management Plan must
provide employees the training needed to carryout the Plan.

> §139.337(f)(7) reads: A training program conducted by a qualified
> wildlife damage management biologist to provide airport personnel with
> the knowledge and skills needed to successfully carry out the Wildlife
> Hazard Management Plan required by paragraph (d) of this section.

To meet the requirements of §139.337(c) and (f)(7), wildlife management
biologist (from now on referred to as a "qualified airport wildlife
biologist") must:

a.  Have the necessary academic coursework from accredited institutions
    and work experience to meet the qualifications of a GS-0486 series
    wildlife biologist as defined by the U.S. Office of Personnel
    Management classification standards (Appendix A); **or** be
    designated as a Certified Wildlife Biologist by The Wildlife Society
    ([http://www.wildlife.org](http://www.wildlife.org/)) **and,**

b.  Have taken and passed an airport wildlife hazard management training
    course acceptable to the FAA Administrator (Appendix B[^1]) **and,**

c.  While working under the direct supervision of a qualified airport
    wildlife biologist, have conducted at least one Wildlife Hazard
    Assessment acceptable to the FAA Administrator (as described in
    §139.337(c)). **and,**

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d.  Have successfully complete at least one of the following within the
    past 3 years:

    1.  An airport wildlife hazard management training course that is
        acceptable to the FAA Administrator (Appendix B) **or,**

    2.  Attendance, as a registered participant, at a joint Bird Strike
        Committee--USA/Bird Strike Committee--Canada annual meeting,
        **or,**

    3.  Other training acceptable to the FAA Administrator.

Persons wishing to conduct Wildlife Hazard Assessments or provide the
requisite training should provide the Certificate Holder documentation
verifying they meet the requirements outlined in 5 a -- d above.

6\. Initial and Recurrent Training for Airport Personnel Actively
Involved in Managing Hazardous Wildlife On or Near Airports.

Personnel actively involved in implementing FAA approved Wildlife Hazard
Management Plans are subject to the requirements of 14 CFR Part 139.303.
§139.303 requires a specific training regimen for all airport personnel.
§139.303(c) and (e) requires the holder of an Airport Operating
Certificate issued under Part 139 to provide initial training and, every
12 months thereafter, recurrent training in wildlife hazard management
to airport personnel actively involved in implementing FAA approved
Wildlife Hazard Management Plans. The required training must include,
"Any additional subject areas required under ... §139.337 ... "
\[§139.303(c)(5)\]. And, "As appropriate, comply with the following
training requirements of this part. ... §139.337, Wildlife Hazard
Management." \[§139.303(e)(5)\]

§139.303(c) and (e) describe the minimum areas covered during initial
and recurrent airport wildlife hazard management training. Depending on
local wildlife and environmental issues, additional topics or more
in-depth coverage of listed topics, might be needed. Appendix C outlines
the training requirements for airport personnel who carry out an
airport's Wildlife Hazard Management Plan. Initial and recurrent
training must be at least 8 hours in length.

§139.337(f) does not prohibit holders of Airport Operating Certificates
from using a "train-the-trainer" approach when providing the requisite
training, provided the trainers receive and successfully complete their
initial and recurrent training from a qualified airport wildlife
biologist.

Remember, holders of Airport Operating Certificates issued under Part
139 are required to make and keep records of all training for airport
personnel involved in controlling wildlife hazards \[§139.303(d)\].

![](media/image2.png){width="2.5881944444444445in"
height="0.6006944444444444in"}

David L. Bennett

Director, Office of Airport Safety and Standards

# Appendix A.

# U.S. Office of Personnel Management Qualification Standards for GS-0486 Series Wildlife Biologists.

To be qualified as a GS-0486 series wildlife biologist, a candidate must
have the following:

1.  A degree in biological science that includes---

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a.  At least 9 semester hours in such wildlife subjects as mammalogy,
    ornithology, animal ecology, and wildlife management or research
    courses in the field of wildlife biology; **and**

b.  At least 12 semester hours in zoology in such subjects as general
    zoology, invertebrate zoology, vertebrate zoology, comparative
    anatomy, physiology, genetics, ecology, cellular biology,
    parasitology, and entomology or research courses in these subjects
    (excess courses in wildlife biology may be used to meet the zoology
    requirements where appropriate); **and**

c.  At least 9 semester hours in botany or the related plant sciences;
    **or**

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2.  A combination of education and experience equivalent to a major in
    biological science (i.e., at least 30 semester hours), with at least
    9 semester hours in wildlife subjects, 12 semester hours in zoology,
    and 9 semester hours in botany or related plant science, as shown in
    "a" above, plus appropriate experience or additional education.

# Appendix B.

# Curriculum Outline for an Airport Wildlife Hazard Management Course, Acceptable to the FAA Administrator, for Personnel Conducting Wildlife Hazard Assessments, or Providing Training to Personnel Actively Involved in Implementing FAA Approved Wildlife Hazard Management Plans. 

> A list of training program providers acceptable to the FAA
> Administrator can be found at the FAA's wildlife strike web page:
> [http://wildlife-mitigation.tc.faa.gov](http://wildlife-mitigation.tc.faa.gov/).
>
> Links to the most recent versions of FAA regulations, FAA Advisory
> Circulars, Certalerts, and other documents relevant to wildlife hazard
> management issues can be found at
> <http://www.faa.gov/airports_airtraffic/airports/> and
> <http://wildlife-mitigation.tc.faa.gov/>.
>
> Those proposing to establish a program to train qualified airport
> wildlife biologist to meet the requirements of Title 14, Code of
> Federal Regulations, §139.337 must submit a complete training syllabus
> and instructor vita to the FAA. The syllabus must include all lesson
> plans, student handouts, and graphic presentations. Submit the
> material to:
>
> FAA Staff Wildlife Biologist, AAS-300\
> Office of Airport Safety and Standards\
> Federal Aviation Administration,\
> 800 Independence Ave. SW.\
> Washington, DC 20591
>
> The goal of the training must be to provide the knowledge, skills, and
> abilities needed by a GS-0486 wildlife biologist to conduct Wildlife
> Hazard Assessments \[§139.337(c)\], and to conduct wildlife hazard
> training \[§139.337(f)(7)\]. To be acceptable to the FAA, the course
> must be at least 24 hours in length and include the agenda items
> below.

2.  **Instructor Qualifications.**

> The lead instructor for the training should have the following
> qualifications:

a.  Be a qualified airport wildlife biologist

b.  Academic credits in education or instructor/teaching experience

c.  A minimum of 2 years experience in all aspects of managing hazardous
    wildlife on or near airports

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3.  **Training Curriculum Outline.**

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a.  Training goals and process

b.  Airport familiarization

    1.  Introduction to the National Plan of Integrated Airport Systems

    2.  Airport design and layout

    3.  Navigation aids and Air Traffic Control

    4.  Airport operations and safety

    5.  Signs, marking, and lighting

    6.  Ground vehicle operator communication

c.  Aircraft familiarization

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(1) Physics of a strike

(2) Aircraft nomenclature

(3) Civil aviation aircraft categories

(4) Aircraft engines

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(a) Reciprocating

(b) Turbo

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(5) Aircraft certification standards

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d.  Preview of wildlife hazards to aviation

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(1) History of major strikes

(2) Aviation losses

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(a) Worldwide

(b) United States

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e.  Controlling laws, regulations and policies

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(1) Migratory Bird Treaty Act of 1918, as amended

(2) Animal Damage Control Act of 1931, as amended

(3) Bald Eagle Protection Act of 1940, as amended

(4) Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act of 1948, as
    amended

(5) National Environmental Policy Act of 1969, as amended

(6) Endangered Species Act of 1973, as amended

(7) Title 14, Code of Federal Regulation, Part 139, Certification of
    Airports

(8) Title 40, Code of Federal Regulations, Part 258, Criteria for
    Municipal Solid Waste Landfills

(9) Title 50, Code of Federal Regulations, Parts 1--199, Wildlife
    Management

(10) Wendell H. Ford Aviation Investment and Reform Act for the 21st
     Century, Pub. L. No. 106--181 (April 5, 2000), \"Structures
     Interfering with Air Commerce,\" section 503

(11) Applicable FAA ACs in the 150/5200 series about Airport Wildlife
     Hazard Management

(12) Applicable FAA Office of Airports Certalerts

(13) Applicable state and local laws, regulations, and ordinances

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f.  Department of Defense requirements and perspective on
    military/civilian joint-use airports

g.  Other Federal and State agency roles and responsibilities

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(1) U.S. Department of Interior, Fish and Wildlife Service

    a.  Role and responsibilities related to managing problem wildlife

    b.  Migratory Bird Depredation Permits

    c.  Salvage Permits

(2) U.S. Department of Agriculture, Wildlife Services

    a.  Role and responsibilities related to managing problem wildlife

(3) Other agencies

    a.  U.S. Environmental Protection Agency

        i.  Siting landfills

        ii. Pesticide registration and use

    b.  U.S. Army Corps of Engineers

        i.  Wetlands mitigation

(4) Multi-Federal Agency Memorandum of Agreement

(5) Applicable state wildlife regulations

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h.  FAA National Wildlife Aircraft Strike Database

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(1) Strike reporting

(2) Species identification and feather identification

(3) Database access

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i.  Environmental issues---working with Federal and State agencies

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(1) National Environmental Policy Act

(2) U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (wetland loss and mitigation issues)

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j.  Initial consultations and Wildlife Hazard Assessments (WHA)

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(1) Triggering events for WHA

(2) Duration and contents of WHA

(3) Wildlife surveys at airports to assess wildlife hazards

(4) Data analysis and presentation of results

(5) Writing a WHA

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k.  FAA review of WHA and determination of need for Wildlife Hazard
    Management Plan (WHMP)

l.  Drafting and carrying out integrated WHMP

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(1) Contents of WHMP

(2) FAA review of WHMP

(3) Endangered Species Act compliance

(4) National Environmental Policy Act review

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m.  Integrated wildlife hazard management for airports; survey of basic
    control strategies and tactics

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(1) Flight schedule modification

(2) Habitat modification and exclusion

(3) Wildlife dispersal techniques

(4) Wildlife population management

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n.  Addressing off-airport attractants and community planning and
    involvement

o.  Outline of field trip (to conduct a "mini" WHA)

p.  Field trip/site visit

q.  Final exam

r.  Post exam review

s.  Course evaluation

t.  Presentation of certificates

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4.  **Recommendations.**

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a.  Exams or tests may be oral, written, practical demonstrations, or a
    combination of all three.

b.  Passing grade/evaluation should be recorded and retained as
    instructor's records.

c.  Instructors should retain course attendance records for a period of
    three years.

**Appendix C.**

# Training curriculum outline for airport personnel actively involved in implementing FAA approved Wildlife Hazard Management Plans.

> The goal of the training course must be to provide the knowledge,
> skills, and abilities needed by airport personnel to safely and
> accurately implement relevant portions of an FAA approved Wildlife
> Hazard Management Plan. To be acceptable to the FAA, initial and
> recurrent training must be at least 8 hours in length and include the
> agenda items:

a.  General survey of wildlife hazards to aviation based on the most
    recent annual FAA National Wildlife Strike Database Serial Report.

b.  Review of wildlife strikes, control actions, and observations at the
    airport over at least the past 12 months.

c.  Review of the airport's Wildlife Hazard Assessment, (conducted by a
    qualified airport wildlife biologist), to include---

    1.  Existing wildlife hazards and trends in wildlife abundance.

    2.  Status of any open or unresolved recommended action items for
        reducing identified wildlife hazards to air carrier operations
        within the past 12 months.

d.  Review of the airport's Wildlife Hazard Management Plan, to include
    ---

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(1) Airport-specific wildlife attractants, including man-made and
    natural features, and habitat management practices of the last 12
    months.

(2) Review of the airport's wildlife permits (local, State, and
    Federal).

(3) Review of other airport-specific items:

    a.  Wildlife hazard management strategies, techniques, and tools ---

        i.  Flight schedule modification.

        ii. Habitat modification, exclusion.

        iii. Repelling methods.

        iv. Wildlife population management.

    b.  Responsibilities of airport personnel for ---

        i.  Reporting wildlife strikes, control actions, and wildlife
            observations.

        ii. Communicating with personnel who conduct wildlife control
            actions or who see wildlife hazards and air traffic control
            tower personnel and others who may require notification,
            such as airport operations or maintenance departments.

        iii. Documenting and reporting wildlife hazards seen during
             patrols and inspections, and follow-up control efforts.

        iv. Documenting and reporting when no hazards are seen during
            patrols and inspections.

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e.  Basic bird and mammal identification, stressing local hazardous and
    rare or endangered species of concern.

f.  For any airport personnel using pyrotechnic launchers or firearms,
    training on the following topics from a qualified individual[^2]:

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(1) Safety, parts, and operation of firearms and pyrotechnic launchers.

(2) Fundamentals of using ammunition and pyrotechnics.

(3) Personnel protective equipment.

(4) Cleaning, storage, and transport of firearms and pyrotechnic
    launchers.

(5) Applicable local, State, and Federal regulations on firearms,
    pyrotechnic launchers, and pyrotechnics.

(6) Live fire training with firearms and pyrotechnic launchers.

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g.  Any other training required by local, State, or Federal regulations.

    2.  **Recommendations.**

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a.  Exams or tests may be oral, written, practical demonstrations, or a
    combination of all three.

b.  The Trainer should retain passing grades/evaluations records.

c.  The Trainer should retain course attendance records for a period of
    three years.

d.  Airport personnel charged with responsibility for the airport's
    wildlife hazard management program should retain records of those to
    whom instruction in airport wildlife hazard management has been
    given for the period of time during which the employee conduct
    hazardous wildlife management activity on the airport and for six
    months after termination of employment.

[^1]: Appendix B also contains instruction for those wishing to
    establish a training program to train wildlife biologist for
    designation as "qualified airport wildlife biologist" by the FAA
    Administrator.

[^2]: State Certificated Hunter Safety Instructors, police officers, and
    firearms instructors should be qualified to teach firearms safety
    and possibly the safe use of pyrotechnic launchers. Pyrotechnics are
    classified as high explosives by the Bureau of Alcohol Tobacco and
    Firearms (ATF) and as Division 1.4 explosives by the U.S. Department
    of Transportation. There are numerous regulations, security
    considerations, and ATF licensing requirements that apply to
    pyrotechnics.