ASC 98-002
1998.03.24
Subject
Bird/Wildlife Incident Reporting System
Purpose
This Aerodrome Safety Information Circular is being issued in order to advise Canadian Aerodrome operators of the current situation with regards to the reporting of bird/wildlife incidents which occur in the aerodrome environment.
Background
Prior to the implementation of the National Airports Policy, there was a requirement that all bird/wildlife incidents which occurred at airports owned and operated by Transport Canada be reported to Transport Canada Headquarters. In addition, there remains a requirement for all facilities to report to Transport Canada’s Civil Aviation Daily Occurrence Reporting System (CADORS) any incident which results in operational impacts. Furthermore, the Department of National Defence, airlines, and pilots all report bird/wildlife incidents to Transport Canada on a voluntary basis. For a number of years, the information obtained from these reporting sources has been collected and analyzed by Transport Canada, and an annual summary report of bird strikes to Canadian aircraft is produced for the industry. This report has proven to be valuable to the industry both nationally and internationally as a way to monitor trends such as bird/wildlife species involved, the numbers and locations of incidents, aircraft and engine types, and time of year or weather conditions etc. This information can be used by the industry to initiate mitigating measures which may help to prevent damaging incidents or loss of aircraft and human life.
Information
Subsequent to the National Airports Policy, there is currently no system in place obligating the industry to report bird/wildlife incidents unless they involve the Department of National Defence, or result in operational impacts. In order to maintain the current data base of bird/wildlife incidents, Transport Canada must depend on the continued good faith and cooperation of the industry to report all incidents. In order to fulfill our goal of managing the safest aviation system in the world, it is essential that all stakeholders report every bird/wildlife incident. It is our hope that all Canadian aerodrome operators will develop and maintain a data base of incidents which occur at their sites, and provide this information to the Aerodrome Safety Branch at the end of each calendar year, or preferably throughout the year soon after each incident occurs. Incidents can be reported in the following ways:
- Transport Canada’s Bird/Wildlife Strike Report form available from the address below
- Toll-free Bird Strike Reporting number: 1-888-282-BIRD (2473)
- Bird Hazard Website
- CADORS
Alternatively, each aerodrome can provide the data to Transport Canada in whatever format the facility uses to record other operational information.
It is our hope that industry cooperation in this matter will enable Transport Canada and the aviation industry to more effectively dedicate resources to those areas which require improvement. For additional information please contact:
Civil Aviation
Communication Centre (AARCB)
330 Sparks Street
Ottawa ON
K1A 0N8
North America: 1-800-305-2059
Fax: 613-957-4208
Civil Aviation Communications Centre contact form
Original signed by:
Harvey Layden (1998.03.24)
Director, Aerodrome Safety