Birdstrike Control Program offers a comprehensive wildlife control program that is instituted on a service basis - including wildlife control personnel, trained falcons, Border collies, vehicles, FLIR systems, and variable secondary control equipment (pyrotechnics, remote-control aircraft and boats, and other equipment deemed necessary to accomplish the wildlife control), along with AFSAS data entry, remains collection, maintenance staff training, pilot training and briefing, and SMS (Safety Management System) implementation.
Birdstrike Control Program provides airfields with full-time wildlife control units (as described below) to institute bird and wildlife hazard control for safe air operations at the airfield.
The highlights of BCP’s program are:
- EXPERT TRAINING
All of BCP's wildlife control officers are fully trained for wildlife control at airfields and have access to many tools to complete the control as necessary. Our wildlife control units will permanently employ the use of fully trained Border collie(s) and /or multiple falcons and/or hawks. Every one of our wildlife control officers minimally hold a master’s degree in wildlife management or an equivalent field;
- DETAILED MONTHLY REPORTS
BCP provides comprehensive and detailed monthly reports to help airifeld officials institute habitat management and other changes necessary to decrease the dangers posed by bird and wildlife hazards. BCP provides these comprehensive reports in addition to any required reports. BCP also provides services for AFSAS data entry, along with birdstrike remains and DNA collection, whether a requirement of a contract or not. BCP personnel also train maintenance crews on appropriate remains and DNA collections, as well as form completion and safety protocols;
- COMPLETE TOOLS AND EQUIPMENT
BCP personnel have access to professionally trained falcons/hawks and professionally trained purebred Border collies, custom-trained for work at busy airfields. Falcons and Border collies serve as our primary methods of wildlife control, though many other wildlife control techniques are employed as necessary, including FLIR systems, pyrotechnics, remote-control vehicles, etc.;
- BEYOND THE NORMAL SCOPE
BCP provides extensive wildlife control coverage beyond the limits prescribed by most contracts. At our Israeli airbases, for example, we patrol and control wildlife in areas well beyond the contracted region, areas covering approximately an additional 30 square kilometers per base. At McConnell AFB, we cover an area encompassing an additional 50 square miles. Air safety does not stop at the airfield perimeter fence and in the interests of safe air operations; we provide services well beyond the delineations of the contract;
Our Wildlife Control Units
Birdstrike Control Program provides airifelds with multiple professionally trained falcons and professionally trained Border collie(s) – as needed by the requirements of the work, wildlife control managers, FLIR system, and 4x4 vehicle for use in the aviation bird/wildlife control program consistent with the base BASH Plan, the outlined requirements of our on-site analysis of the airfield and information provided to BCP concerning the airfield, and subsequent discussions with Air Force or airport officials. Birdstrike Control Program also provides adequate liability and insurance coverage for all of our contracts.
Our wildlife control managers control and care for falcons and Border collie(s) and patrol the airfield and selected areas where birds tend to congregate and areas adjacent to the perimeter of the airfield. The wildlife control managers coordinate with Airfield Operations and the Control Tower before, during and after any of these activities. Our falcons and dog(s) are fully capable and trained for performing the requirements of bird control at a specific airfield. Additionally, our wildlife control managers are fully trained for wildlife control at the specific location and maintain the appropriate permits for any use of birds of prey.
Our company is comprised of professional biologists that can serve as expert consultants for the Air Force or airport on all aspects of wildlife control, not simply falcon and dog handlers. A large portion of the value of our program to an airfield rests not only with our active control procedures for reducing the wildlife hazards, but with the development of passive control methods (particularly habitat management) for the airfields themselves. This expertise is also available for utilization by an airfield to assist in managing other wildlife concerns.
Our Wildlife Control Operations
Birdstrike Control Program provides an airfield one or more full-time wildlife control persons to cover the hours necessary to protect flying operations. Our personnel are expected to be either on patrol or on call five to seven days a week, (dependin g on the requirements of a contract), and additional hours as necessary. Definitive patrol schedules are not prescribed as patrols are completed as necessary to protect air operations. On call is defined as duties not including patrolling. This could be attending meetings, care and feeding the falcons and/or Border collies, and other tasks necessary for contract fulfillment, including office work, etc. Our wildlife units are responsible for ridding the airfield of potential wildlife hazards to flight operations. A wildlife control unit (consisting of the wildlife control manager, one or more falcon(s)/hawk(s), etc., one or more Border collie(s), vehicle, FLIR system, and any other secondary control equipment) regularly patrols the airfield and up to 5 miles from the perimeter fence to monitor wildlife activities each day. Upon encountering wildlife, the wildlife control unit notify the Control Tower and Airfield Ops if necessary and then use falcons, Border collies, pyrotechnics, radio-controlled craft, or any suitable method to rid the threat from the airfield. Our wildlife control units also monitor and control any adjacent hot zones, up to 5 miles from the fence.
Our wildlife control units are constantly accessible by the Control Tower or Airfield Ops by cell phone or two-way VHF radio and keep them informed of any increase in bird activity in the area. Our wildlife control units will respond to any reports of activity from Airfield Ops or the Control Tower. Our wildlife control units are accessible at all times as required by the contract, via cell phone or radio, and generally have a ten-to twenty minute response time (depending on the amount of total area covered). All of our wildlife control units are fully trained by BCP staff in the use of VHF radios and flightline air traffic protocol. Each of our units is provided with a cell phone by BCP for communications.
If there are extended absences, BCP has expert staff that can be relocated to anywehere in the world until such time as the situation returns to normal. By way of example, BCP management have performed service contracts for more than 8 straight months at US airbases before qualified personnel could be brought in permanently and for more than two years at IAF bases. BCP has sufficient experienced and qualified staffing to take over for any departing airfield staff (for a lengthy training period or longer if necessary) if and when there is any staff turnover at the base. BCP has managed staff turnover at US and Israeli airbases without a break in service performance or the quality of work.
Wildlife Control Recommendations
Our wildlife control units survey wildlife activities at the airfield, as well as the results of all wildlife control methods. Our wildlife control units also monitor perimeter fencing for potential entry points by wildlife and report findings to Airfield Ops. We also coordinate with airfield natural resource managers and other airfield wildlife control personnel.
We provide comprehensive and detailed written progress reports to Wing officials on a monthly basis. This information include number and type of bird flights, approximate time of flights, types of control methods used, and the results of our activities. This includes the types and numbers of birdstrikes, as well as any other information pertinent to aircraft flying safety. Our reports also include information and recommendations for improving airfield habitat management techniques and protocol to help reduce the attractiveness of the site to birds and other wildlife and to comply with the base BASH plan or airfield WHMP, and we provide input and assistance in improving wildlife strike reduction.
Wildlife Control Managers Supplementary Duties
Our wildlife control managers are responsible for transportation, care, housing and feeding required for our falcons and Border collie(s). They also provide for any protective clothing or equipment (i.e. hearing protectors, cold and inclement weather gear) required for handling. Birdstrike Control Program management makes periodic visits (generally on a quarterly basis) to enhance the wildlife control program.
Our wildlife control managers also utilize equipment necessary for any minimal trapping deemed necessary for the wildlife control program.
With our program, the falcons and dogs remain the responsibility of BCP and BCP staff members are charged with the overall harassment duties of wildlife control at the airfield. BCP wildlife control personnel house and handle the falcons and dogs as well as collect bird population data, monitor perimeter fencing, trap wildlife as needed, and coordinate airfield habitat management. Additionally, BCP wildlife control personnel recommend, develop and implement new control methods and procedures in conjunction with airfield operations and other wildlife control/safety units. In essence, BCP becomes responsible for the complete wildlife program at the airfield.