Integration of bird-detecting radar into the tower and cockpit: An urgent need
Richard A. Dolbeer
Science Adviser
U. S. Department of Agriculture, Wildlife Services
1228 Laguna Drive, Huron, Ohio, USA 44839
1(419) 602-3220
richard.dolbeer@usda.gov
and
Michael J. Begier
National Coordinator, Airport Wildlife Hazards program
U. S. Department of Agriculture, Wildlife Services
4700 River Road, 2D-03A, Riverdale, Maryland, USA 20737
mike.begier@usda.gov
Abstract: Wildlife Hazard Management Plans at civil airports in the USA focus on wildlife attractants at the airport and do not address threats posed by large birds moving through aircraft departure and arrival paths unrelated to nearby bird-attractant habitats such as landfills. As an iconic example, an Airbus 320 departing LaGuardia Airport (LGA) on 15 January 2009 struck a flock of migrating Canada geese 5 miles out during climb at 2900 feet. With both engines disabled, Captain Sullenberger made a water landing now known as the “Miracle on the Hudson”. There were no measures to prevent this off-airport strike event; and 14 years later, there still are no measures in place. Bird-detecting radar (BDR) focused on departure and arrival airspaces integrated with Air Traffic Control and the cockpit, is a means of preventing these off-airport strikes. In fact, the feasibility to employ radar was demonstrated during the “Miracle on the Hudson” event. When the aircraft was at about 2,500 feet, data from local ASR-9 radar indicated that the aircraft’s path intersected a string of unidentified primary targets. Shortly thereafter, some of these primary targets (geese) were ingested in both engines. BDR specifically focused on detecting large birds in approach and departure flight paths integrated with ATC and the cockpit is urgently needed because populations of large bird species continue to increase along with an increase in these off-airport strikes. From 16 January 2009 to April 2023, about 2,000 strike events at >500 feet AGL involving civil aircraft and large (>1.8 kg) birds were documented on approach to or climb from Part 139-certificated airports in the USA. The technology is available to achieve this specific use of BDR similar to 30 years ago when the process to provide real-time windshear warnings (Terminal Doppler Weather Radar) was adopted. The alternative is the status quo–a continuation of these presently unmitigated “off-airport” strikes with large birds, some of which may not have “miraculous” endings.
Richard A. Dolbeer
Richard Dolbeer was a scientist with the U.S. Department of Agriculture from 1972-2008 where he led research projects to resolve conflicts between humans and wildlife in North America, Africa, and Asia. He has over 230 scientific publications. Richard was a founding member of Bird Strike Committee-USA and served as chairperson from 1997-2008. Richard was the first recipient of The Wildlife Society’s Caesar Kleberg award for Excellence in Applied Wildlife Research. He was publicly elected to two 4-year terms on the Board of Education in Huron, Ohio, serving as President for 2 years. A native of Tennessee, Richard received his PhD degree from Colorado State University in 1972. Richard currently manages his 60-acre farm “Bluebird Haven” in Ohio dedicated to environmental education and Alzheimer’s awareness and works as a science adviser to the USDA. He has 2 children and 6 grandchildren.
Michael J. Begier
Mike Begier is the National Coordinator of the USDA Wildlife Services Airport Wildlife Hazards Program. He provides support to WS operations and research offices and represents the program domestically and internationally to the aviation and airport industry. He holds degrees from the State University of New York system (AAS – Biotechnology, BS – Biology, and a MS – Wildlife Management). Mike worked in the U.S. National Park Service as a wildlife technician and the U.S. Forest Service as a research technician. His work managing wildlife hazards to aviation began in 1999 as an airport wildlife biologist both in the U.S. and internationally. In addition to his wildlife damage management work with the aviation and the airport industry he serves as the liaison to the U.S. DOD Armed Forces Pest Management Board and serves on research panels with the National Academy of Sciences.