Bird strike Q&A

  • Published
  • By Deborah Silliman Wolfe
  • Thunderbolt staff writer
LUKE AIR FORCE BASE, Ariz. --  US Airways Flight 1549 made national news last week when pilots had to land the jetliner in the Hudson River after both engines went out after an apparent bird strike. Here at Luke Air Force Base, precautions are taken to reduce the likelihood of bird strikes and the Thunderbolt had the chance to speak with USDA wildlife biologist Mark Gonzales, who plays an integral part in protecting Luke's F-16s from wildlife hazards.

TB: What do you do on base?

MG: My responsibility is the Bird and Wildlife Aircraft Strike Hazard Program, or BASH, which includes going out and identifying wildlife hazards on the airfield. I monitor the habitat, including grass and vegetation on the airfield to make sure it is in regulation. I make recommendations to the Bird Hazard Working Group to mitigate any wildlife hazard concerns such as installing anti-perch devices on structures. I patrol the airfield and control wildlife that are hazardous to aircraft operations. I conduct bird counts and surveys. A typical day begins with a morning bird count before the pilots fly. When I am off duty Airfield Management takes over BASH duties.

TB: A bird count, what is that?

MG: I have a route between the runways where I count the number of birds observed. I report that number back along with a bird watch condition recommendation to the tower. The supervisor of flying declares a bird watch condition: low, moderate or severe. A severe rating is when birds are actually on or flying above the runway, and all take-offs and landings are suspended until the bird watch condition is downgraded to low or moderate.

TB: How often is a severe condition declared at Luke?

MG: It is pretty rare.

TB: Is there a prime time of year for bird strikes?

MG: In the summer, especially during the monsoon season. The airfield vegetation grows quickly providing shelter for birds such as doves. The standing water also brings in a lot of birds. (NOTE: Bird strikes are collisions between birds and aircraft.)

TB: Are some birds more of a risk than others?

MG: The bigger species are more of a hazard than smaller species so I go after those first. Then I work on the smaller birds that aren't as hazardous.

TB: If you do have birds near the runway, how do you handle the situation?

MG: We have non-lethal controls that help disperse the birds. We have pyrotechnics, basically shooting firecrackers out of a launcher that looks like a pistol that scream, whistle or explode. We use those first to scare them away. For hawks, I do a lot of trapping. I use a cage that has fishing line nooses on it, and I put a rat or a mouse into the trap. I go where ever a hawk, or any raptor, is perched and I place the trap onto the ground, close enough to them, but not so close that it will spook them. I drive off and wait for the hawk to land on the trap and get caught. I take them to the Arizona Game and Fish Department where they have a wildlife rehabilitation facility. They will relocate the birds to a suitable habitat at least 100 miles away.

What is your background?

I have a Bachelor of Science in Wildlife Management. I have been with the USDA Wildlife Services program for more than 11 years and here at Luke for six years.