Bird strike is the term given to an incident when an aircraft pilot reports a strike, there is evidence of a strike on, in, or surrounding an aircraft or runway, or a responsible person witnesses a strike and the remains of a bird are found in the vicinity of the runway without another explanation.

Since 1912 bird strikes have brought down more than 360 civil and military aircraft, caused severe damage to aircraft and resulted in a reported 370 human fatalities – the figures indicative of bird strike incidents recorded only, with specialists suggesting the figure is grossly underestimated and the reporting process inconsistent.

It is more common that bird strike results in minor aircraft damage however the potential disruption to flight schedules, aircraft and crew downtime, passenger inconvenience and risk to personnel poses ever increasing and substantial costs. It is estimated bird strikes cost the civil aviation industry $1.2billion US per year. In 2007 in Australia a total of 1217 bird strikes were reported with the incidents rated as one of the most common causes of aviation accidents.

With more than 90% of bird strikes occurring at low altitudes in the vicinity of airports, various methods have been implemented in the past to reduce bird attraction to the aerodrome region, operate dispersal programs and scare birds from approach and departure paths.

Avisure has built up a reputation as the leader in bird strike risk management ably led by renowned bird strike expert Phil Shaw. Phil’s extensive experience, knowledge and understanding of animal behaviour and aircraft operations has taken the Avisure team to more than 17 national and international airports over the last 12 years to advise on how to reduce bird and wildlife hazards with comprehensive risk management strategies, staff education and ongoing implementation and maintenance plans.

Avisure aims to provide the aviation industry with the world’s best products, processes, research and expert advice to ultimately reduce the occurrence of bird strike and establish a benchmark in the industry that encourages a global proactive approach to bird strike management.

As a testament to Avisure’s reputation as leaders in their field the company was recently awarded the contract to manage bird strike at Australia’s largest and busiest airport in Mascot, Sydney.