Deer Hazards Reporting Wildlife Strikes

Deer and other mammals pose an extreme The FAA has a standard form (FAA Form hazard to aircraft due to their size and the 5200-7) for the voluntary reporting of bird and possibility of a strike during the critical flight other wildlife strikes with aircraft. To improve periods of takeoff and landing. Airports offer an the ease of reporting, strikes can also be excellent habitat for deer and the possibility for reported via the Internet at http://www.faa.gov/ Wildlife wildlife incursions is a potential threat at many documentLibrary/media/form/faa5200-7.pdf. Wisconsin airports. Deer are most active in the It is very important that strikes be reported Hazard early morning and evening by anyone who has knowledge of the strike. It and pilots should take is important to include as much information as extra precaution during possible on FAA Form 5200-7. The Management operations at these time identification of the species of wildlife struck is periods. particularly important. Bird strike remains that can not be identified can be identified by a Pilot Actions local biologist or by sending feather remains in a sealed bag with FAA Form 5200-7 to:

 Check NOTAMs and airport directories for Federal Aviation Administration information regarding deer activity. If Office of Airport Safety and Standards unsure call ahead by telephone or unicom for deer advisories. AAS-310 800 Independence Avenue, SW  Use landing lights during takeoff and Washington, DC 20591 landing.  Make a low approach to determine if any deer are present. If necessary, have airport personnel, if available, disperse deer before landing.  If deer are on the runway during the The Wisconsin landing phase, go around and wait until they disperse. Pilot’s Perspective  On takeoff, be ready to abort, if speed permits, or fly over any deer that enter the runway.  Be especially vigilant during early morning or evening operations. Wisconsin Bureau of Aeronautics  Report all incidents or deer sightings on P.O. Box 7914 the airport to airport personnel. Madison, WI 53707-7914 (608) 266-3351 www.wisconsindot.gov November, 2017 Wildlife Strike Statistics Bird Hazards Pilot Actions- Take Off and In Flight

Understanding when and where most wildlife Bird hazards have existed since the  If birds are observed on the runway, have strikes occur is important for the safety of aircraft beginning of air travel and can cause a airport personnel, if available, disperse pilots and passengers. The following information them before takeoff. provides an overview of the nature and magnitude of considerable amount of damage and the problem. occasional loss of human life. To reduce  If a bird strike occurs during the takeoff the number of bird strike occurrences, it is run and there is sufficient runway  From 2000 to 2008, 60,293 strikes (average of important for pilots to be aware of the remaining, stop and check aircraft for 6699/year) were reported to the FAA. possibility and seriousness of bird strikes. damage.  Birds were involved in 97% of the reported This brochure is to help pilots decrease the  Use landing lights and strobe lights during strikes with gulls, raptors, blackbirds, chance of a wildlife strike and to minimize takeoff, climb, descent, approach and waterfowl and doves being the most common. the consequences if a strike occurs. landing to make the aircraft more visible.  Most bird strikes (51%) occurred in the four  If the aircraft has windshield heating, its months from July to October. use will make the windshield more pliable  62% of the bird strikes occurred during the Pilot Actions - Preflight and better able to withstand bird impact. day.  If birds are seen, the slower the bird’s  55% of bird strikes occurred when the aircraft wing-beat, the larger the bird and the was on approach or during the landing roll.  Check NOTAMs and airport directories for information about bird problems at greater damage in the event of a strike.  39% of bird strikes occurred during takeoff and climb. departure and destination airports.  Attempt to pass above any birds seen, as birds usually break-away downward when  About 40% of bird strikes occurred when the threatened. aircraft was on the ground.  Flight plan for as high an altitude as  If the windshield is broken or cracked,  72% of all strikes occurred under 500’ AGL. possible. Only 1% of general aviation bird strikes occurred above 2500’ AGL. slow the aircraft to reduce wind blast,  Mammals were involved in 3% of all wildlife follow procedures, use glasses and FLY strikes. THE AIRCRAFT.  The greatest percentage (61%) of mammal  Avoid flying over bird sanctuaries, rivers  If dense bird concentrations are expected, strikes occurred during July- November. or along shore lines, especially during avoid high speed descent and approach.  55% of mammal strikes occurred when the the spring and fall migration periods. Halving the speed results in a quarter of aircraft was on approach or landing. the impact energy.  34% of mammal strikes occurred during  Preflight the aircraft carefully in the takeoff.  If flocks of birds are encountered during spring as birds can build a nest almost the approach, go around for a second  64% of mammal strikes occurred at night. overnight. Any signs of grass, leaves or approach because they may have cleared twigs should lead to further investigation. the area.

 Listen to ATIS for warnings of bird activity and look for birds when taxiing. Report all unusual bird activity to air traffic control or flight service station.