Bird & Wildlife Strike Awareness (Arkansas)
Quick, practical steps for pilots to reduce risk and respond effectively. Arkansas sits in a major migratory corridor; know when and where hazards increase.
Why Arkansas sees more strikes
- Peak migration: Sep–Nov and Feb–Apr.
- Highest activity: sunrise, sunset, and bright moonlit nights.
- Most strikes occur below ~3,000’ AGL, especially near airports.
- Local attractants: rivers/lakes, rice & ag fields, landfills, refuges.
Use lights in terminal areas and below 10,000’ when workload allows; a small speed reduction buys reaction time and reduces impact energy.
Preflight Risk Check
- NOTAMs: wildlife advisories, closures.
- Check recent strike history and local reports (airport ops, FBO, tower/UNICOM).
- Plan altitudes/routes to avoid known roosting/feeding areas when feasible.
- Brief: sterile cockpit for T/O & landing; callouts for birds/deer.
Airport Environment
- Taxi: Lights on; scan infield ponds and treelines.
- Run‑up: Avoid lingering near grass edges if flocks are present.
- Takeoff: Use full length when practical; avoid abrupt maneuvering through flocks; delay if large birds are on/near the runway.
En Route
- Eyes out; birds often dive when startled.
- Keep lights on for conspicuity.
- Reduce speed slightly when birds are spotted to cut impact energy.
Approach & Landing
- Stabilize early; avoid low‑altitude maneuvering over water/ag fields at dawn/dusk.
- If birds on final: go around and advise ATC/traffic.
- At night: extra caution near bright, insect‑rich lighting.
If a Strike Occurs
- Fly the airplane. Maintain/restore control and needed power.
- Assess engine indications, vibration, windshield/canopy, pitot/static, antennas, lights.
- Decide early—return/land as soon as practical if performance/visibility is in doubt.
- Declare if needed for vectors, priority, and equipment standing by.
- After landing: Inspect prop, leading edges, intakes, landing gear, radiators/oil coolers.
- Report the strike (links below). Timely reports improve mitigation.
Deer & Other Terrestrial Wildlife
- Expect deer activity dusk–dawn and during hunting season.
- Use full lighting; announce back‑taxi/line‑up on CTAF.
- If animals are on the runway: go around and notify ATC/CTAF.
Training & Culture
- Include wildlife risk in CFI checkouts and local procedures.
- Brief recognition, avoidance, and reporting with every student.
- Share sightings with airport management to support habitat control.
Recommended Equipment & Practices
- Good eyewear for low sun angles.
- Clean windshields to spot birds earlier.
- Landing/taxi lights in terminal areas and below 10,000’ when workload allows.
Resources
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