Are birds bothering pilots at Chennai airport?

V Ayyappan| TNN | Updated: Oct 10, 2017, 06:08 IST

Representative image

CHENNAI: Instances of pilots complaining about suspected bird strikes near Chennai are going up. These are not actual bird hits but suspicions of strikes recorded after pilots spot birds as they take off or come into land.

Statistics show that suspected bird hits have shot up from 38 in 2015-16 to 58 in 2016-17. These figures are based on reports filed by pilots who suspected that a bird must have hit the aircraft. However, investigation found that there were no actual strikes.

Pilots report to the air traffic control and the ground crew when they spot birds. If the pilot reports a suspected hit, ground engineers inspect the wings, engines, fuselage and nose of the flight after landing to confirm damages while the airport staff inspect the runway. If a pilot reports a suspected hit while take-off but readings inside show nothing amiss, the aircraft continues towards its destination where it is checked upon landing. If readings show otherwise, the flight makes an immediate landing. Other pilots are also informed about the bird sighting, or hit, so that they can take precaution. Aircraft manufacturers have provided a long check list detailing what action should be taken following a strike.

"Bird strikes have not been reported but the number of suspected strikes are up. This is also not good but checks are done. All these instances have been reported outside the airport campus," a senior Airports Authority of India official said.

As per rule, areas within a 10km radius of an airport should not have garbage dumps or crowded markets that will attract birds, especially kites. Though environmental committee meetings are held with the state government, there is no efficient garbage disposal near the airport. "The approach path to the main and second runways has densely-populated areas. We insist on garbage disposal," the official said.

A pilot blamed the populated neighbourhoods for the presence of birds. He said people flash laser beams on aeroplanes. "If there is no evidence of a bird strike, the aircraft will be released for operations. Otherwise it will be grounded for inspection and repairs," the pilot said.

Pilots take a few steps to prevent or minimise bird strikes like keeping the aircraft's speed at 250 knots below 10,000ft, and executing a fast and sharp climb to reduce exposure to birds. If there is a bird hit and the engines get affected, pilots plan an additional length of landing distance so that the aircraft will get the adequate distance on the runway to slow down after touchdown without using thrust reversers.

An airport official said steps have been taken to keep birds off the airport. "An ultrasonic equipment that emits an irritating noise audible only to birds and reflectors were tried, but bursting crackers is the primary means of scaring away birds when they are spotted in the airport's operational area," he said.