Birdstrike Mania?
All of the interest in bird strikes "strikes" me as ironic. Not that people shouldn't be concerned about aviation safety, but that as far as CHO goes, and most airports for that matter, safety has ALWAYS been and ALWAYS will be our first priority. Bird strikes happen everywhere-it's inevitable. Fortunately for us, it is infrequent. The public may download bird strike statistics from the FAA website, a right which has been affirmed by the Secretary of Transportation. While not all bird strikes are reported by pilots, most are and the statistics for CHO are few. 3 in 1990, 2 in 1993, 2 in 1995, 2 in 1996, 3 in 1997, 1 in 1998, 1 in 2000, 1 in 2002, 1 in 2003, 4 in 2007, all with no or minor damage, and no strikes to our knowledge in 2008 or 2009. The culprits? Generally small unkown species, a barn swallow, one goose, and sea gulls. Yes sea gulls! Those beautiful birds end up here from time to time and initially stay because the large paved surface of the airport appears as water to them (or so we have been told by the wildlife experts). It usually doesn't take much to get them on their way because they are usually loners and not in a flock.
Birds aren't the only wildlife we see-deer, foxes, groundhogs, skunks, and one bear have or do attempt to call CHO home. However, our operations staff, led by Deputy Executive Director Bill Pahuta, manages an active and serious wildlife mitigation program that keeps them moving on. The fence around the airport isn't just to keep people from wandering into a secure area, it is to keep deer out! CHO is inspected for wildlife hazards by the United States Department of Agriculture each year, and has always implemented their recommendations. Borrowing from the last communication from USDA in October 2008, "Overall, CHO appears to be in excellent standing when it comes to wildlife hazards at the airport. Airport personnel are well trained and are genuinely interested in mitigating any and all wildlife hazards at CHO. Also, the airfield is well maintained, grass is mowed to the correct length, and the fence is well maintained."
Wildlife mitigation and public relations are sometimes at odds, but safety always trumps. While we sometime clear and/or top trees because they have become an obstruction in the airspace, CHO also works with the state biologist who helps identify wildlife habitat that should be eliminated nearby or on the airfield. Unfortunately this includes cutting down trees and "grubbing" or removing shrubs. In the end, it's easy to justify - the safety of aircraft and persons is in very goods hands, ALWAYS.
