Federal Aviation Southern Region Administration

Wildlife Control

The Wildlife Hazard 

Problem, Assessment, &

Management Plan

By: Jack McSwain

Date: October 1st, 2013
Federal Aviation

Administration October 1, 2013 Guidance to Wildlife Control 2 

Wildlife Information & Guidance

• Purpose of this presentation:

– Give you information and policy guidance to help with Wildlife 

Control.

– Help you create and maintain an aggressive, successful 

Wildlife Hazard Management Plan (WHMP).

• This presentation does not address the requirement of 

triggering events. 

• Southern Region’s Policy is that all our airports will 

have a Wildlife Hazard Assessment (WHA) & WHMP. 
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Administration October 1, 2013 Guidance to Wildlife Control 3 

The Wildlife Strike Problem

• It started early-on: 

In 1905 Orville Wright documented the first known bird 

strike during a flight over a corn field near Dayton, 

Ohio. 

• Since then, increased conflicts between wildlife and 

airplanes have caused damage to aircraft and loss of 

human life. 

• Over $600 million dollars per year now is lost due to 

wildlife strikes with civil aircraft in the United States 

alone. 
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Administration October 1, 2013 Guidance to Wildlife Control 4 

Concern Over Wildlife Strikes

• Factors causing increased concern about 

wildlife and aviation safety

– Change from piston-powered aircraft to jets 

increases the chances that jets collide with wildlife.

– Increased air traffic worldwide, both military and 

commercial.

– The area nearby many modern airports provides 

shelter plus nesting and feeding areas for wildlife, 

unlike in the surrounding metro area.

• Most wildlife strikes occur near an airport
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Administration October 1, 2013 Guidance to Wildlife Control 5 

Southern Region Strikes - Photos
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Administration October 1, 2013 Guidance to Wildlife Control 6 

Wildlife Hazard Assessment

• All Part 139 Airports in Southern Region have agreed 

to start the process for a WHA

• The following slides address: 

– Qualifications

– Training

– Control Procedures

– Requirements for the WHA

• Remember: 

An airport must develop Control Procedures to 

immediately eliminate wildlife hazards during a Wildlife 

Assessment 
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Administration October 1, 2013 Guidance to Wildlife Control 7 

Required Items for a Wildlife Hazard Program

• Wildlife Hazard Assessment

• Wildlife Hazard Management Plan
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Administration October 1, 2013 Guidance to Wildlife Control 8 

Wildlife Hazard Assessment Process

First -- Contact a Wildlife Biologist

AC 150/5200-36, 

Qualifications for Wildlife Biologist Conducting Wildlife Hazard 

Assessments and Training Curriculums for Airport Personnel Involved 

in Controlling Wildlife Hazards on Airports

• Must meet the requirements of 139.337 C 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5 

• Must submit 3 copies of the WHA to your ACSI for review and 

determination of a Wildlife Hazard Management Plan.
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Administration October 1, 2013 Guidance to Wildlife Control 9 

• Based on the Recommendations of the WHA

• Must meet Part 139.337 (e)

• Must include all sections of 139.337 (f) 

• Use the WHMP checklist to develop the Plan

• Send 2 copies of the WHMP to your ACSI for approval and addition to 

your ACM

• The WHMP must be reviewed every year and after any triggering event

• Remember annual training!

Wildlife Hazard Management Plan
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Administration October 1, 2013 Guidance to Wildlife Control 10

FAA CertAlerts, Advisory Circulars about Wildlife Strikes

• AC 150/5200-32

Reporting Wildlife Aircraft Strikes

• AC 150/5200-33

Hazardous Wildlife Attractants On Or Near Airports

• AC 150/5200-34

Construction or Establishment of Landfills Near Public Airports
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Administration October 1, 2013 Guidance to Wildlife Control 11

FAA CertAlerts, Advisory Circulars about Wildlife Strikes (cont.)

• CertAlert No. 09-10

Wildlife Hazard Assessments

in Accordance with Part 139 Requirements

• CertAlert No. 98-05

Grasses Attractive To Hazardous Wildlife

• CertAlert No. 04-09

Relationship Between FAA

and Wildlife Services

• CertAlert No. 04-16

Deer Hazard to Aircraft and Deer Fencing