Wildlife can wreak havoc for airports and their staff. Birds and other animals can damage planes on the ground or cause accidents by flying into the engines or roaming on airport grounds. To increase awareness of these concerns and to improve safety for all, the North Carolina Department of Transportation’s Division of Aviation will offer free training sessions for airport personnel.
The sessions are open to airport personnel that are tasked with handling wildlife hazards to aviation. The sessions will be hosted:
- Tuesday, May 19 Albert J. Ellis Airport (OAJ);
- Thursday, June 25 Asheville Regional Airport (AVL); and
- Wednesday, Dec. 2 Moore County Airport (SOP).
The sessions typically run from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. with lunch at local restaurants. There is no cost for attendees of this training. Seating is limited; please register early, registration is on a first come first serve basis.
Topics that will be discussed include:
- Topics contained in FAA Advisory Circular 150/5200-33 will be discussed;
- General overview of wildlife hazards to aviation in our state and nationally;
- Review of the Wildlife Hazard Assessment and Wildlife Hazard Management Plan Process;
- Rules, regulations, legal reminders, wildlife permits;
- Basic bird and mammal identification;
- Wildlife attractants and habitat management;
- Integrated management of wildlife hazards;
- Record Keeping and communications; and
- Safety issues with equipment and procedures.
To pre-register call Jennifer Fuller at the NCDOT Division of Aviation at 919-814-0560 or email jmfuller@ncdot.gov