Bird Strike Committee Proceedings
Date of this Version
October 2002
Abstract
As a follow-up to a paper presented at International Bird Strike Committee meeting #23 in 1996, discussing Transport Canada’s emphasis on education and awareness programs as a means to reduce bird hazards to aircraft, this paper will describe significant changes that have occurred in Canada since that time. The 1994 Government of Canada National Airports Policy led to the devolution of Canada’s major airports. Private sector airport authorities now operate these airports and Transport Canada’s focus has shifted from management by policy to one of regulatory oversight. In addition to building on the awareness program that was in place in 1994, Transport Canada is in the final stages of introducing a performance-based regulation for Wildlife Management and Planning at applicable Canadian airports. Key components of the regulatory package are: a requirement for developing a risk assessment and management plan; an obligation to report all wildlife incidents; an obligation to provide training to wildlife control staff; and an obligation to establish a reporting and communication network. The applicability of the regulation is based on types of aircraft and number of operations, airport location and historical risk, and the presence of incompatible land-use activities.