One of the lesser-known obstacles faced whilst maintaining safety at an aerodrome, is the presence of a wide variety of wildlife. This particular hazard requires constant vigilance and preparedness by Aerodrome Reporting Officers (AROs), to respond safely and appropriately to remove the animal (large or small) as soon as possible.
Whilst bird strikes are well-known, other wildlife such as kangaroos, snakes, and even feral cats often wander onto a runway and surrounding areas, creating a potentially serious hazard for aircraft operations. A critical responsibility of an ARO is to anticipate and manage these unexpected visitors, ensuring that any wildlife is handled swiftly and safely.
Our own resident ARO, Sharna Tonkin, has experience in the deployment of a range of tools and techniques to deter and remove wildlife effectively, with each shift bringing about unique and often unexpected (furry) challenges.
At Aviation Projects, we provide trusted advice about airport planning, development and operations and aerodrome safeguarding. Contact us today.
Tags: ARO, Aviation Projects, Wildlife, Aerodrome Reporting Officer
