(1) As part of the aerodrome serviceability inspection, the aerodrome operator must monitor and record at least the following:
(a) the presence and behaviour of wildlife on the aerodrome;
(b) wildlife activity that is visible:
(i) in the vicinity of the aerodrome; or
(ii) from the aerodrome.
Note For aerodromes with considerable wildlife hazards, a dedicated wildlife inspection, including wildlife counts, is recommended.
(2) The aerodrome operator, in consultation with the local planning authority, must attempt to monitor sites within 13 km of the aerodrome reference point that attract wildlife.
(3) The aerodrome operator must attempt to monitor any reported wildlife aircraft strike events at, or in the vicinity of, the aerodrome.
17.02 Wildlife hazard assessment and trigger criteria
(1) Any detected wildlife hazard must be assessed for its potential risk to aircraft operations.
(2) If the aerodrome operator has a safety management system, or a risk management plan, mentioned in Chapter 25 or 26 respectively, the assessment must be conducted in accordance with the system or the plan.
(3) When conducting a wildlife hazard assessment, available data from the following must be considered:
(a) wildlife observations;
(b) reported aircraft strike events;
(c) reported aircraft near miss events.
Note If multiple wildlife hazards are identified, CASA recommends that wildlife species be ranked in their order of risk.
17.03 Wildlife hazard management plan triggers
the aerodrome operator must prepare and implement a wildlife hazard management plan.
(2) The plan must be prepared and implemented not later than 6 months after:
(a) for paragraph (1) (a) — the date of publication, by the Department, of the air transport passenger movement numbers indicating that, for the first time under this MOS, there have been 50 000 or more air transport passenger movements for the aerodrome for the financial year; or
(b) for paragraph (1) (b) — the date the aerodrome operator becomes aware of information indicating that, for the first time under this MOS, there have been 100 000 or more aircraft movements at the aerodrome in the course of the financial year.
(3) If paragraph (2) (a) or (2) (b):
(c) subsequently would have applied to the operator again if such application were deemed to be for the first time under this MOS;
then the paragraph applies to the operator as if it were for the first time under this MOS.
(4) Subsection (1) does not apply if:
(a) for aerodromes without scheduled international operations — wildlife hazard assessment demonstrates, using statistical and other data, that the wildlife hazard risk is low; and
(b) CASA, in writing, approves the assessment subject to conditions (if any).
Note For an aerodrome to which subsection (1) does not apply, but which has a high wildlife hazard management risk, CASA recommends the
Note: development of a wildlife hazard management plan.
(5) CASA may direct an aerodrome operator in writing to prepare and implement a wildlife hazard management plan if CASA considers that this is necessary in the interests of aviation safety.
Note For CASA directions see regulation 11.245 of CASR. If required in the interests of aviation safety, CASA may revoke an approval given under paragraph (4) (b) and issue a direction under this subsection.
(6) A wildlife hazard management plan must be included in, or referenced in, the aerodrome manual.
Note See also section 11.08.
17.04 Preparation of a wildlife hazard management plan
(1) A wildlife hazard management plan must be prepared in consultation with a suitably qualified or experienced person, for example:
(a) an ornithologist, zoologist, biologist, ecologist; or
(b) a person with demonstrated expertise in the management of wildlife hazards to aviation.
(2) The wildlife hazard management plan must at least:
(a) identify the key aerodrome or contracted personnel and define their responsibilities or functions in the plan; and
(b) identify sources and locations of wildlife attraction:
(i) on the aerodrome; and
(ii) in the vicinity of the aerodrome;
which are likely to cause wildlife to transit the take-off, approach and transitional surfaces; and
(c) set out the procedures for the following in relation to wildlife hazards:
(i) detection;
(ii) monitoring;
(iii) risk assessment and analysis;
(iv) reporting to pilots through the AIP, NOTAM and ATC (if applicable);
(v) mitigation, including passive and active strategies; and
(d) specify the liaison arrangements for local planning authorities within a radius of at least 13 km from the aerodrome reference point; and
(e) set out the aerodrome operator’s strategy for wildlife hazard reduction; and
(f) include records of the qualifications and experience of key personnel identified in the plan.
(3) The aerodrome operator must:
(a) implement the wildlife hazard management plan; and
(b) keep the plan under continuous review.
(4) For subsection (3), a review of the wildlife hazard management plan must be conducted in each of the following circumstances:
(a) if an aircraft experiences multiple wildlife strikes;
(b) if an aircraft experiences substantial damage following any wildlife strike;
(c) if an aircraft experiences an engine ingestion of wildlife;
(d) if the ongoing presence of wildlife is observed on the aerodrome in size or in numbers reasonably capable of causing an event mentioned in paragraph (a), (b) or (c);
(e) at least every 12 months, but if during a period of 12 months the plan was reviewed under paragraph (a), (b), (c) or (d), at least every 12 months after that review.
17.05 Wildlife hazard reporting
(1) If the presence of wildlife is assessed as constituting an ongoing hazard to aircraft, the aerodrome operator must advise the AIS provider in writing to include an appropriate warning notice in the AIP-ERSA in accordance with Chapter 5 of this MOS.
Note Reports to the Australian Transport Safety Bureau following a wildlife strike event are also required in accordance with the Transport Safety Investigation Regulations 2003.
(2) Without affecting subsection (1), if a wildlife hazard is assessed as being:
(a) at a higher risk than usual; and
(b) of a short-term or seasonal nature;
then the aerodrome operator must ensure that a timely NOTAM warning of the hazard is given to pilots using the aerodrome.
Note See CASA Advisory Circular (AC) 139.C-16: Wildlife Hazard Management at aerodromes, as existing from time to time and freely available on the CASA website, for details on what information CASA recommends should be included in the NOTAM.
(3) Without affecting subsection (1) or (2), if a wildlife hazard is assessed as being a serious and imminent threat to aviation safety at an aerodrome, the aerodrome operator must ensure that pilots using the aerodrome are directly advised on CTAF or UNICOM.
17.06 Wildlife hazard mitigation
The aerodrome operator must implement controls to mitigate wildlife hazard risks within the boundary of the aerodrome.
Note 1 For the management of hazards outside of the aerodrome boundary, see subsection 17.01 (2) and paragraph 17.04 (2) (d).
Note 2 For the management of hazards from land-based wildlife CASA recommends continuous fencing around the aerodrome boundary, or otherwise containing the movement area.
17.07 Training
(1) Wildlife hazard monitoring and reporting personnel must be trained to competently do the following:
(a) conduct wildlife observations and identify high-risk species;
(b) assess wildlife populations and describe their behaviour;
(c) record information;
(d) collect any remains of a wildlife strike on the aerodrome;
(e) attempt to facilitate the identification of:
(i) any wildlife involved in a strike event; and
(ii) any resulting damage to an aircraft;
(f) report the outcomes of observation, monitoring and strike collection activities.
Note To perform their roles properly, CASA recommends that monitoring personnel have access to wildlife identification materials and equipment such as a field guides, identification books, scopes or binoculars, active management tools, carcass handling tools, identification kits and relevant PPE.
(2) Personnel engaged in wildlife hazard mitigation must be trained to competently:
(a) engage in active wildlife management without causing a hazard to aviation safety; and
(b) assess the effectiveness of any mitigation measures that are taken.
(3) The aerodrome operator must create training records for its monitoring and reporting personnel to show compliance with subsections (1) and (2). Each record must be kept in safe custody for a period of at least 3 years after the record was created.
Part Part 17 - Part 139 (Aerodromes) Manual of Standards 2019 - WILDLIFE HAZARD MANAGEMENT | Zoe