Critters And Collisions

Matt Johnson

Thursday, March 23, 2023 at 01:30 PM ET

Verified

Key Takeaways:

The FAA's Chart Supplement provides critical, though sometimes uniquely phrased or abbreviated, safety information regarding a wide array of airport-specific hazards, from wildlife to runway conditions.
Wildlife strikes, predominantly involving birds (like eagles, buzzards, and waterfowl) and deer, are a significant and common aviation hazard, with specific data detailing their frequency, timing, and potential for aircraft damage.
Beyond natural wildlife, pilots must also be vigilant for other diverse hazards noted in the Chart Supplement, including Uncrewed Aircraft Systems (UAS) operations, unusual runway gradients, and even rare occurrences like mid-air fish strikes.
Thoroughly consulting the Chart Supplement for each flight is essential for pilots to understand and mitigate unique local risks and ensure operational safety.

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As you should know by now, the FAA’s Airport/Facility Directory recently was renamed the Chart Supplement. It’s the same multi-volume reference with information like: “CAUTION—FISH SPOTTING ACTIVITY—CHESAPEAKE BAY AND COASTAL WATERS. Caution is advised for extensive fish spotter aircraft activity between May 1 and December 1 upwards from 1500 feet above the surface over the Chesapeake Bay and adjacent coastal waters. Pilots should be alert for this activity.”

Isn’t that last sentence overkill? Doesn’t the whole “Caution is advised” part mean “Pilots should be alert”? How about this entry for Devils Lake, North Dakota (KDVL)?: “Numerous waterfowl and other birds, deer and jack rabbits on and invof arpt.” The Chart Supplement can spell out “waterfowl” and “jack rabbits,” but can’t spell out “airport” or “in the vicinity of?”