Dear
All,
This is a request for assistance
with a very bad problem we have here in Lae (PNG) with Black Kites (Milvus migrans) on the runway at Nadzab in their hundreds. Air Niugini is almost at the stage
where they will refuse to fly into Lae because of the danger to the passengers
and aircraft. Last year a Black Kite was sucked into one of the engines of an
F28 aircraft that caused an engine failure on takeoff. Luckily no one was
injured and except for the engine damage to the tune of (PNG Kina 1-6m) the
aircraft was OK. Last week a take off was aborted at the last moment due to
hundreds of Kites on the runway. There was a delay while the runway was cleared.
They have tried culling the Kites
but this is not too effective as the birds now tend to become aware of the
danger and fly higher when the cullers are around. The secondary problem is that
there is an embargo on the importation of ammunition at the moment into PNG. Air
Niugini has approached AusAID for assistance but due
to the problem just explained the effect will be very limited and short term.
I have been approached by the Chief
Safety Officer of Air Niugini and the President of Lae Chamber of Commerce and
Industry to assist them with this problem as it would be economic disaster for
industry in Lae to have the airport closed.
Could anyone please assist with
information on ways to control/contain this problem.
Besides culling we are aware of only
2 other options.
Option 1.
Computerised sonic noises through strategically placed
loudspeakers.
Option 2
High intensity flashing strobe lights.
The disadvantage with both of these
options is that both are open to vandalism which here in PNG is a major
problem.
I would appreciate any advice and/or
assistance anyone can give. If a site visit was felt appropriate I?m sure Air
Niugini would assist.
Kind regards ?
Elliot Harding
P.O.
Box
1728
Lae
Morobe
Province,
PNG
Phone # 479 1440
(work)
Phone # 472 6299
(home)
Fax # 479
1443
