Division of Aviation to Sponsor Wildlife Hazard Training Sessions for Airport Personnel

The North Carolina Department of Transportation issued the following news release:

While their presence may be welcome elsewhere, wildlife can wreak havoc at an airport. Birds and other animals can damage planes on the ground or cause accidents by flying into the engines or roaming on airport grounds.

To increase awareness of these concerns and to improve safety for all, the N.C. Department of TransportationAZs Division of Aviation will offer a free training session for airport operations personnel at the Asheville Regional Airport Maintenance Building (61 Terminal Drive, Suite 1 in Fletcher) on Wednesday, June 13, from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. The session is co-sponsored by the U.S. Department of Agriculture Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service Wildlife Services.

"Ensuring the safety of air travelers and aviation personnel is at the core of our mission,Aa said NCDOT Division of Aviation Director Richard Walls. "This free training will give our airports the tools to make their facilities as safe as possible.Aa

The training session will include helpful information on the following:

* General overview of wildlife hazards to aviation;

* Review of the Wildlife Hazard Assessment and Wildlife Hazard Management Plan process;

* Rules, regulations, legal reminders, wildlife permits;

* Wildlife attractants and habitat management;

* Integrated management of wildlife hazards; and

* Safety issues with equipment and procedures.

For more information on registration, contact Jennifer Fuller, NCDOT Airport Project Manager, at (919) 840-0112 or via e-mail at [email protected]

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TNS hc1-120607-JF78-3900962 StaffFurigay