Bird Activity

[mikecweb]

So as some of you may or may not know I'm based out of Boston Logan. Every morning when we are picking up the ATIS the skipper and I take bets on whether it's going to be "Moderate" or "Heavy" bird activity. First of all...What the heck are we really going to do differently if it’s heavy vs. moderate? Second how in the heck do you determine this?

Btw this is what freight guys do when the rest of you are making those cabin announcements and seat belt sign things.

[TFaudree_ERAU]

I told you mang, the only thing you do differently is swerve more when its heavy activity.


DING, you may now move about the cabin

[rickyrhodesii]

Originally Posted by mikecweb

Every morning when we are picking up the ATIS the skipper and I take bets on whether it's going to be "Moderate" or "Heavy" bird activity. First of all...What the heck are we really going to do differently if it’s heavy vs. moderate? Second how in the heck do you determine this?

I can only speak on behalf of Air Force air traffic but we have a program called Bird and Wildlife Aircraft Strike Hazard, or BASH, program. It sets outs guidelines for certain Bird Watch Conditions.

- SEVERE: Bird activity on or immediately above the active runway or other specific location representing high potential for strikes. Supervisors and aircrews must thoroughly evaluate mission need before conducting operations in areas under condition SEVERE
- MODERATE: Bird activity near the active runway or other specific location representing increased potential for strikes. BWC moderate requires increased vigilance by all agencies and supervisors, and caution by aircrews.
- LOW: Bird activity on and around the airfield representing low potential for strikes.

If you really want to take a look at the publication, here you go: BASH

[TFaudree_ERAU]

BASH...a helluva acronym when talking about airplanes hitting birds.

[PilotChip]

Just a tidbit - many airports will include (in the ATIS) a general "all aircraft use caution for bird activity on and in vicinity of the airport..." and it should also be published in the AFD.

Other then the BASH program, these advisories are present to alert pilots of the constant presence of birds around that airport or runway and to hint to pilots that bird strikes are frequent.