Swarms Of Insects Pose A Threat To Flying

When we tune in the ATIS at KSGJ, ANN's home airport, we've become accustomed to a boilerplate warning about water birds on or near the runways. It's part of the joy of living near so much water. And frankly, we'd rather have the birds that what pilots in some areas of Australia are facing right now. They're being warned of the potential dangers plague locusts pose to flying.

The Australian Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) says high density hatchings of locusts have already occurred in the central west and far west  regions of New South Wales, north-west Victoria and the Flinders Range region of South Australia. The agency says people operating aircraft in these areas must be aware of the likelihood of encountering locusts and the risks they cause to aircraft. Pilots should also regularly check to see if new hatchings of locusts have occurred in other regions or if infestations have spread.

Locusts can fly up to 3000 feet and can be in swarms of up to 50 million. Individual swarms can range over tens or even hundreds of miles. The insects are also active at night, travelling up to hundreds of miles in the right conditions. Locust infestations can attract large bird numbers, increasing the risk of aircraft bird strikes.

A notice issued by CASA to pilots says swarms of adult locusts can pose a direct threat to aviation. In sufficient numbers they can mask ground features and cause reduced visibility by impacting windscreens. Ingestion of locusts into engine intakes and pitot tubes can cause damage and result in instruments providing unreliable readings.

CASA says pilots should be aware in locust plague areas there may be more aircraft traffic than usual due to aerial spotting and spraying. Care should especially be taken during take offs and landings in these locations. Pilots should also be aware that locusts pose risks to parked aircraft by entering intakes and pitot tubes. Covers must be fitted to prevent locust ingestion.

FMI: www.casa.gov.au