FAAN commissions bird/wildlife management equipment to improve flight safety

In a bid to improve the safety of flight operations by effectively managing birds/wildlife hazards at the nation’s airports, the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) has commissioned some birds/wildlife equipment.

This is coming a few weeks after Aero Contractors and Max Air made air return after their aircraft suffered bird strike.

At an event held at FAAN’s headquarters annex in Lagos, Rabiu Yadudu, managing director of the authority, who was represented by Sadiku Rafindadi, the director of commercial and business development, noted that the equipment are some of the best that can be gotten around, as the authority procured them on the recommendation of the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO).

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According to the MD, the deployment of these equipment will usher in an era of safe flight operations, as incidents relating to bird strikes will now be a thing of the past.

In his remarks, Muktar Muye, the authority’s director of airport operations, expressed his delight at the arrival of the equipment.

Muye noted that what was being commissioned is not just the equipment but a complete package that also includes the recommended storage facility, patrol vehicle and trained personnel in line with ICAO/s Standards and Recommended Practices.

Some of the hitech equipment commissioned include three different models of bird scaring gas canons, dayboxes for carrying pyrotechnics during operations for safety, 15,000 rounds of 12G (heavy caliber bird scaring pyrotechnics), Hi-tech bird laser, Personal Protective Equipment for staff dealing with wildlife, purpose-built TYPE IV explosive storage magazine, brand new Hilux jeep for runway wildlife patrol, amongst others.

The event climaxed with a practical demonstration of the use of some of the equipment.