ACE Wildlife Hazard Management 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Under FAA Advisory Circular 150/5200-33, what minimum distance from an airport's air operations area (AOA) should wildlife attractants be located?
- 1,000 feet
- 5,000 feet
- 10,000 feet (Correct answer)
- 3 miles
Correct answer: 10,000 feet
FAA AC 150/5200-33 recommends keeping wildlife attractants such as landfills, wetlands, and ponds at least 10,000 feet from any runway used by turbine-powered aircraft.
Question 2: Which bird behavior makes Canada Geese particularly hazardous at airports compared to most other species?
- They fly only at night
- They form large resident flocks and are reluctant to leave familiar areas (Correct answer)
- They migrate faster than radar can track
- They actively pursue aircraft
Correct answer: They form large resident flocks and are reluctant to leave familiar areas
Canada Geese establish permanent residency near airports and resist dispersal, making them a persistent, year-round hazard rather than a seasonal one.
Question 3: A Wildlife Hazard Assessment (WHA) is triggered at a certificated airport when a wildlife strike causes which outcome?
- Any bird is observed on the airfield
- A strike that causes a recordable accident or materially affects an aircraft's airworthiness (Correct answer)
- Three or more strikes in a calendar year
- Any mammal is seen within the fence line
Correct answer: A strike that causes a recordable accident or materially affects an aircraft's airworthiness
FAR Part 139.337 requires a WHA when a strike causes a recordable accident, forces a precautionary landing, or otherwise materially affects aircraft airworthiness.
Question 4: What is the primary purpose of the FAA National Wildlife Strike Database?
- To fine airports for wildlife strikes
- To collect voluntary strike reports and identify trends for safety improvements (Correct answer)
- To track species populations near all US airports
- To coordinate USDA Wildlife Services dispatch
Correct answer: To collect voluntary strike reports and identify trends for safety improvements
The database is a voluntary reporting system that aggregates strike data nationwide, enabling trend analysis and evidence-based wildlife hazard mitigation.
Question 5: Which habitat modification technique most directly reduces grass-feeding bird activity on airfield turf?
- Planting dense shrubs along taxiways
- Maintaining grass height between 7 and 14 inches (Correct answer)
- Installing bird-of-prey perches
- Applying herbicide to create bare soil
Correct answer: Maintaining grass height between 7 and 14 inches
Tall grass (7–14 inches) obscures predators from ground-feeding birds and is too dense for comfortable movement, discouraging geese and starlings.
Question 6: A pyrotechnic device used for wildlife dispersal at airports is classified as a:
- Chemical repellent
- Auditory hazing tool
- Non-lethal frightening device (Correct answer)
- Lethal control method
Correct answer: Non-lethal frightening device
Pyrotechnics such as bird bangers and screamer shells are non-lethal frightening devices that use noise and light to disperse wildlife without harming them.
Question 7: Which document must an airport certificated under Part 139 develop after a Wildlife Hazard Assessment identifies an unacceptable risk?
- Environmental Impact Statement
- Wildlife Hazard Management Plan (Correct answer)
- Airport Safety Self-Inspection Report
- Integrated Pest Management Plan
Correct answer: Wildlife Hazard Management Plan
FAR 139.337(c) requires that airports with unacceptable wildlife hazards develop and implement a Wildlife Hazard Management Plan approved by the FAA.
ACE Wildlife Hazard Management 2
Under FAA Advisory Circular 150/5200-33, what minimum distance from an airport's air operations area (AOA) should wildlife attractants be located?