August Conference Will Focus On Off-Airport Hazards

The Bird Strike Committee-USA has issued a all for papers, presentations, and posters to support the theme for its August conference: “Beyond the Fence: Operations and Off-airport Hazards”. The 2012 meeting will be held August 13-16 in Memphis, TN.

Presentations (papers and posters) are being solicited regarding biological, engineering, environmental, training, management or policy issues related to wildlife, aircraft, and airports. Abstracts of all accepted presentations will be printed in the program. For authors who grant permission, written papers and power-point presentations will be posted as pdf files on the website. Presenters also may distribute copies of their paper at the conference if they desire. Demonstrations of control techniques, products and other activities can be presented by registered exhibitors during the field trip to the airport.

Authors/presenters should send the title and a 300-word or less abstract of their paper or poster with the authors' names and addresses to the Technical Program Committee. Deadline for submission is 16 April 2012. Titles received after this date may not be considered. Authors will be notified regarding acceptance by 8 June 2012.

Bird and other wildlife strikes to aircraft annually cause well over $600 million in damage to U.S. civil and military aviation. These strikes put the lives of aircraft crew members and their passengers at risk. The Bird Strike Committee says on its website that over 219 people have been killed worldwide as a result of wildlife strikes since 1988. Within the United States there was no one forum where information or concerns dealing with this problem could be addressed.

Bird Strike Committee USA was formed in 1991 to facilitate the exchange of information, promote the collection and analysis of accurate wildlife strike data, promote the development of new technologies for reducing wildlife hazards, promote professionalism in wildlife management programs on airports through training and advocacy of high standards of conduct for airport biologists and bird patrol personnel, and be a liaison to similar organizations in other countries.

FMI: www.birdstrike.org, Abstract Instructions