ONLINE BONUS / Airport wildlife management flight Airport wildlife management techniques are increasingly based on scientific principles applied in accordance with a risk-based philosophy. By Mario Pierobon ne of the main responsibilities of any airport authority is controlling pesky birds that like to hang around the airfield. As the populations of most North American large bird species rise, so does the corresponding risk to aviation safety. Traditionally, airport wildlife management has revolved around very practical techniques, including the use of deterrents such as other predatory animals or birds, pyrotechnics and soundwave dispersal techniques. Over the years, however, bird hazard management has evolved to incorporate scientific principles and is increasingly performed according to a risk-based model. Gary Searing, executive director of Bird Strike Committee Canada, told Skies that airports are most often subjected to O 92 SKIES Magazine | January/February 2017