ERAU Backs Bird Strike Data Release

Dr. Christina Frederick-Recascino, vice president for research and federal government relations for the university, said  “Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University applauds the FAA’s decision to make its entire bird strike database available on a public Web site.

“We see this initiative to expand and improve the database search function and make it more user-friendly as an important step toward enhancing aviation safety. This commitment improves Embry-Riddle’s and other key researchers’ ability to share important data and to develop new or improved wildlife mitigation programs and, ultimately, save lives. We look forward to working with the FAA to find ways to improve and strengthen bird-strike data reporting.
 
“We also agree with U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood’s inclination to make bird-strike reporting mandatory. Mandatory reporting will improve the industry’s ability to accurately measure wildlife threats and, more important, improve the integrity of the data, which can be distorted if only a minority of airports are reporting the bulk of wildlife strikes,” she added.

Embry-Riddle has played an instrumental role in helping the aviation industry and the FAA collect bird strike data and manage the Wildlife Mitigation Web site since October 1999. This FAA-contracted Web tool allows airport personnel around the country to file online reports of wildlife strikes that occur at their facilities. It is managed by the university’s Prescott, Ariz., wildlife mitigation experts and principal investigator, Archie Dickey.