As aviation enthusiasts, professionals, and advocates, we all recognize the importance of safety in the skies. One of the most pressing safety concerns in the aviation industry is wildlife strikes. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Wildlife Strike Database, which has recorded more than 291,600 wildlife strikes since 1990, paints a troubling picture of the rising risks posed by birds and other animals. But there’s a solution within our reach: reporting these strikes.
Understanding the Scope of the Issue
The FAA’s database of wildlife strikes, which includes both birds and other wildlife, is a vital resource for tracking and understanding this growing threat. In 2023 alone, there were approximately 19,400 reported wildlife strikes at 713 U.S. airports. This marked a significant increase in incidents compared to previous years. An additional 5,100 strikes were reported by U.S. Air Carriers at airports around the world. With such a staggering number of wildlife encounters, it’s clear that the problem is escalating.
Why is this happening? Several factors contribute to the rise in wildlife strikes. Expanding wildlife populations, increases in aircraft movements, and technological changes in aviation—like the development of faster, quieter planes—have all played a role. Wildlife is often unaware of the increasing air traffic, and as a result, these animals inadvertently put themselves at risk. Birds, especially, are a prominent concern due to their size, speed, and presence near airfields.
The Vital Role of Reporting
While reporting wildlife strikes is voluntary, it is crucial for a variety of reasons. First, without accurate data on wildlife interactions with aircraft, it’s impossible to assess the true scope of the problem. The FAA and the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) have worked tirelessly over the past three decades to collect data on wildlife strikes. This data serves as the scientific foundation for wildlife management programs, making it essential for anyone in aviation to report these incidents, no matter how small they may seem.
By reporting wildlife strikes, we contribute to the creation of more effective wildlife hazard mitigation strategies. These strategies rely on the data gathered from incidents across the country and around the world. Whether it’s changing flight patterns, improving wildlife management at airports, or developing new technologies, all of these solutions stem from the information we provide through reporting.
The FAA Wildlife Strike Database: A Valuable Resource
The FAA’s Wildlife Hazard Mitigation website (https://wildlife.faa.gov/) and the Wildlife Strike Database are excellent resources for not only reporting incidents but also learning about wildlife hazards in your area. This platform allows anyone in the aviation community to submit wildlife strike reports in a consistent format, ensuring that the data collected is both reliable and usable.
With this knowledge, the FAA can continue its efforts to improve wildlife hazard research, airfield wildlife management, and risk mitigation strategies. Expanding these efforts will lead to safer skies for everyone—from general aviation pilots to commercial airline passengers.
What Can You Do?
If you’re involved in aviation—whether as a pilot, airport manager, or aviation professional—it is your responsibility to contribute to the safety of the industry. Reporting wildlife strikes is one of the most impactful ways to do this. Here’s how you can help:
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Report Every Strike: If you encounter a wildlife strike, no matter how small, make sure to report it using the FAA’s Wildlife Strike Database. Accurate reporting helps build a comprehensive picture of the risks we face.
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Encourage Others to Report: Talk to fellow aviators, airport staff, and others in the aviation community about the importance of reporting wildlife strikes. The more people involved, the more effective the mitigation strategies will be.
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Stay Informed: Use the resources available on the FAA’s website to learn more about wildlife hazard mitigation. Understanding the risks and how to manage them is a key part of staying safe.
The Bigger Picture: Mitigating Wildlife Risks
The FAA and USDA are committed to improving wildlife hazard mitigation through continued research and development. This work includes studying the behaviors of wildlife around airports, developing new technologies, and exploring innovative solutions to reduce the likelihood of strikes. But all of this hinges on the accurate, timely reporting of incidents. By participating in this process, you’re not just helping to keep yourself safe; you’re contributing to a broader, industry-wide effort to protect aviation.
In conclusion, wildlife strikes are a growing concern, but they’re also an issue we can address. Reporting these incidents is a critical step in improving safety measures and developing more effective strategies to mitigate risk. Whether you’re flying a small private aircraft or managing operations at a major airport, your contribution to the FAA Wildlife Strike Database can help make aviation safer for everyone.
Stay safe, report strikes, and help us all soar to safer skies.