Bird Strike Committee Proceedings

 

Title

Bird Strike Risk Analysis on Aktion Airfield (Greece) and Recommendations for Improvements in Bird Strike Prevention

Document Type

Article

Date of this Version

May 1999

A survey of Aktion airfield in Greece was carried out from 14 to 18 October 1996 initiated by the Flight Safety Division of the NATO E-3A Component Geilenkirchen (Germany) as an reaction to the accident of an AWACS-aircraft on 14. July 1996, initially caused by a bird strike event. The survey of Aktion airfield led to the conclusion that the bird strike risk is extremely high at this airfield. Reasons are:
· The geographical location of the airfield at the Adriatic coast which is a migratory pathway for many birds.
· The location of the airfield on a narrow peninsula surrounded by water on almost three sides.
· The natural biological richness of the region with a big number of aquatic habitats and agricultural land use etc.
· The natural richness of the airfield itself, being very attractive for many bird species, as there are good resting and feeding conditions.
These facts result in the presence of single birds and flocks of birds throughout the year. During spring and autumn migration the bird strike risk even increases. Against the passage of seasonal migrating birds no actions for altering the pathways are applicable. However, a consequent habitat management will prevent birds res ting and/or feeding on the airfield. As a result of the survey of Aktion airfield recommendations were made with the intention changing the bird species composition to smaller, less heavy species, and thus decreasing the risk of bird strikes causing damages.