WILDLIFE HAZARD PREVENTION AT GENEVA AIRPORT

WILDLIFE HAZARD PREVENTION AT GENEVA AIRPORT

First registered birdstrike Birdstrikes have been recorded since the first days of aviation. In the early days, damages were minor thanks to the lower speed of aircrafts. The first birdstrike leading to the death of the pilot was recorded in 1912.

Background and worldwide statistics Since 1908, birdstrikes have been a very serious hazard for air traffic. CIVIL AVIATION 8 458 birdstrikes recorded in 2000 (25%) 34 000 birdstrikes estimated per year (100%) 857 engines struck, damaged, or lost per year 30 fatal accidents (1912-1995) 55 lost civil aircrafts (1912-1997) 200 fatalities (1912-1997) Cost : several hundred millions of dollars per year MILITARY AVIATION 2 500 birdstrikes per year (USAF) 1 500 birdstrikes per year in 9 European air forces 175 lost military aircrafts in Europe (1950-1997) 100 fatalities in Europe since 1950 Cost : several hundred millions of dollars per year

Distribution of impacts per flight phase 66 % 19 15 0 20 40 60 80 Take-Off Approach - Landing Others 90 % of birdstrikes happen at or in the direct vicinity of airports!

Most affected parts of aircrafts 31 % radome 8 % - fuselage 1 % - tail group 39 % engine 7 % landing gear 11 % - wing s leading edge

Most affected parts of aircrafts Technical improvements of aircrafts Increase of air traffic (number of flights) = Increase of wildlife populations (mainly birds) Consequences: More frequent and serious damages Increase of risk In the direct vicinity or on airports worldwide

Key actions In order to limit wildlife strikes risks while tolerating the coexistence of wildlife and aircrafts: 4 necessary actions Reinforce Fight (active prevention) Prevent (passive prevention) Picture STNA Research (limit attractivity)

Key actions Wildlife hazard prevention in airports is today more necessary than ever!

Damages on aircrafts Never again! Picture STNA 1975 J. F. Kennedy Airport Picture STNA

Damages on aircrafts Picture STNA 1995 Le Bourget - Paris Picture STNA

Damages on aircrafts Picture digifoto European Lapwing 1995 Picture STNA Le Bourget - Paris

Damages on aircrafts Picture STNA

Damages on aircrafts Picture internet

Damages on aircrafts Picture Christian Béchir India Ingestion of a Black kite Rejected take-off Picture STNA

Damages on aircrafts Picture internet April 2008 Picture internet

Damages on aircrafts Pictures service de sécurité Fumicino Rome Fiumicino, November 2008, multiple birdstrike

15 January 2009: Hudson landing in New York

15 January 2009: Hudson landing in New York Canada Goose Romaric77 Size: 1,8 m span - Weight: 4,5 kg Behavior : Group flight (migratory bird)

A look at Geneva Airport situation

Organization at Genève Aéroport A partnership for more efficiency!

Organization chart

Activities of the Wildlife Hazard Management Unit The first priority of the WHM Unit is the runway safety, but many other tasks are in charge of the Unit: Domestic animals escaped from hold Wasps, hornets or bees nests Animals inside airport buildings Delivering of training courses as part of airtrace activities Bird flu (H5N1) Airport grassland management Invasive exotic plants management within airport perimeter Various collaborations

Geographical situation of the airport 1,8 km from the Lake Geneva Located between downtown 1,5 km from the Rhône River and countryside

Ornithological situation of the airport A migration corridor passes alongside the airport perimeter. Fort de l Ecluse

Flora survey at Genève Aéroport Grassland of type Mesobromion (Mesobrometum arrhenatheretosum) 210 listed species, including: 4 very rare 1 very rare and first seen in the canton 9 rare 6 infrequent 7 species of orchid

Wildlife survey Mammals such as fox, hare, weasel, martens, vole, mouse, mole Batrachians such as common toad Insects Birds

24 Butterfly species marianne schön Mellicta parthenoides LR CH 1994: vulnerable Plebejus argus LR CH 1994: vulnerable mattias marxreiter Genève Aéroport is a conservation area for both species: the airport presents the biggest population for the Geneva region.

Mammals at Genève Aéroport Mammals: micromammals, mole, badgers, fox, deer Deers are frequently seen outside the airport perimeter, thus the need for a wildlife-proof fence.

Birds at Genève Aéroport More than 130 species observed Continuous presence (Common buzzard, Crows, Tree sparrow, etc.)

Birds at Genève Aéroport More than 130 species observed Continuous presence (Common buzzard, Tree sparrow, Crows) Seasonal presence (Sea gull, Eurasian Curlew) Rare Passages (Variable Sandpiper, White Stork)

Exceptional presence: August 17 and 18, 2007 at Genève Aéroport 110 White storks

Attractivity for birds Food (micromammals, insects, seeds, etc.) Reproduction on site or in the vicinity Quietness (visibility, low human pressure)

Wildlife strikes statistics

Origin of statistical data (strikes) International Birdstrike Reports and ASR (pilots) Wildlife strike reports from Genève Aéroport < 20 % of reports Bird specie Runway used Part of aircraft damaged Flight phase Time Meteorological conditions Etc.

Collision rate for 10'000 movements (Landings + Takeoffs) 7.0 6.0 6.2 6.6 5.0 4.0 3.9 4.3 3.8 3.2 3.0 2.0 1.0 0.0 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016

Number of collisions according to the consequences on the flight 48 Number of collisions 30 31 24 20 14 15 15 10 2 2 1 unknown INCONNU No SANS consequence CONSÉQUENCE INSPECTION Check w-out SANS damage DÉGÂTS INSPECTION Check with AVEC damage DÉGÂTS Consequences on the flight 2014 2015 2016

Strikes per months Common kestrel Falco tinunculus End of June: younglings leave the nest 10 Number of collisions 9 7 13 5 9 8 2 4 6 5 22 10 7 4 1 8 3 7 1 2 3 0 1 2 1 11 11 7 9 8 4 5 2 2 3 JANVIER January FÉVRIER February MARS March AVRIL April MAI May JUIN June Mois JUILLET July AOÛT August SEPTEMBRE September OCTOBRE October NOVEMBRE November DÉCEMBRE December 2014 2015 2016

Strikes according to flight phase 31 26 26 24 25 Number of collisions 22 19 16 11 4 4 0 1 1 2 landing Take-off unknown rolling approach ATTERRISSAGE DÉCOLLAGE INCONNU ROULAGE APPROCHE Flight phases 2014 2015 2016

Strikes according to damaged part 54 52 Number of collisions 43 4 1 2 4 5 5 1 0 0 10 8 3 7 0 2 2 3 2 0 0 1 0 0 3 fuselage FUSELAGE radome RADÔME No data (VIDE) unknown INDÉTERMINÉ RÉACTEURS windshield PARE BRISE Landing TRAINS gear HÉLICE / ROTOR BORD D'ATTAQUE DE L'AILE engine propeller wing Affected parts of the aircraft 2014 2015 2016

Passive and Active preventions

Monitoring procedures Daily data recorded during specific wildlife inspections of the airport perimeter : weather conditions, presence of birds, species, numbers, habitat, position, behaviour, reaction to scaring methods, etc. Regular analysis of recorded data in order to have a global view of the situation according to season, time of year. All data is directly computer recorded. Passive means Active means

Passive ecological measures Grass height at a minimum of 15 to 20 cm Airport grassland management Elimination of trees and bushes along runways Reducing the number of perches close to traffic areas Suppressing wetlands and stagnant waters, drainage Collaborating to the design of new airport infrastructure to limit wildlife attractivity

Active wildlife controlling measures Regular inspection of runway and protected area with specific vehicle, wildlife observation and interventions with: 34 remote-controlled noise generators Exploding & whistling cartridges Long range fuses Laser handhelds In case of necessity, capture or shooting of some species

Acquiring new technology: the laser handheld

Research & Development Participation in development of a new noise generator for airports, Efbitech 300W 34 devices are now used at Genève Aéroport A database of several thousand bird cries allowing to adapt the generators to the specificities of each airport.

Conclusion Our feathered friends represent a very serious hazard for aviation. It is at the same time a natural, delicate, difficult and fascinating problem to solve.

More than 12 years of collaboration between Genève Aéroport and BTEE SA: Recognized expertise and skills at the service of an international training center

airtrace locations and references Aerodrome of Sion Aerodrome Auch-Gers (France) Aérodrome de Payerne A few training sessions Throughout the world : Belgium Switzerland (Geneva, Sion) Togo Benin New-Caledonia French West Indies Congo Republic France (several airports) Luxembourg Aerodrome of Saint-Yan Lomé Airport (Togo)

Genève Aéroport wants to reduce at most this risk thanks to scientific expertise, adequate means and qualified staff.

At Geneva Airport, safety is priceless! Even if the zero risk is impossible to achieve and the cost can be expensive, the effort is worth it

Presentation prepared by : Stéphane Pillet BTEE SA General Manager Michel Glorieux Wildlife Hazard Manager Collaboration : Xavier Wohlschlag COO Genève Aéroport Photographies : Christian Béchir BTEE SA