Manage Bird Hazards at a Coastal Aerodrome

One strike and you're out! Don't ignore the threat of birds.

Kāpiti Aero Club is on the sunny Kāpiti Coast. As a coastal aerodrome, we're predisposed to a larger bird population than inland aerodromes – reported bird strikes here have been known to double in a single year.

Before every flight, assess the risk birds pose and take steps to mitigate it. Don't get yourself out needlessly – if there are birds before the wicket, tell the umpire (Flight Service). They can fire the bird-scaring cannons located at each runway threshold. We can also make sure the runway is clear and, on take-off, follow a straight, predictable path.

It's easy to get caught up in the excitement of a flight you've been looking forward to all week. Don't let that eagerness get in the way of good threat and error management.

Sometimes we take all these steps and still have a strike or a near miss. These must be reported on MIFIS, including:

• species
• number of birds
• where it occurred (e.g. abeam A3)
• whether evasive action was required

Know the local birds

In spring and the warmer months, new growth of grass and greenery brings increased wildlife activity, so be aware of the habits and behaviours of the local birds:

• Plovers / masked lapwings – lay eggs June–November and are incredibly protective of their chicks. If a plover is sizing you up in the middle of the runway, its chick probably isn't far away.
• Pūkeko – much prefer running to flying when disturbed. Their breeding system varies, with a peak in the North Island from August to November. They're territorial.
• Shelducks – pair up to breed, often for long periods. Both parents guard the chicks; breeding runs August–February.
• Canada geese – the biggest birds we regularly see at NZPP. They also pair up, with the female sitting on the eggs and the gander defending the nest. Breeding season is September–January.