CAA refuse to give Bird Strike details
 

The CAA have refused a FOI request for the number of Bird Strikes at BHD Airport for 2007 !!

Any pilot hit a bird in 2007 at BHD :eek:

Individual airports statistics don't appear to be given on the CAA Website, I don't know why because any trends at a particular airfield would be of concern to the airport authority, their operators and possibly other airports in similar environments.

Perhaps the BHD Airport Authority could help you out.

Interesting point, Skyhigh. I'm afraid I can't help with your specific query but I wonder whether the CAA gave a reason?

Now that they've made birdstrike reporting mandatory one might ask what they are doing with the data? Is there a valid reason for not releasing it under a FOI request?

As niknak says, you could try asking the airport but I suspect that they would see it as potentially commercially damaging -a bit like hospital league tables, you could twist the raw numbers in any way that you choose. And, of course, what if BHD had 5 strikes in 2007 and other airports won't say - is BHD a safe airport.....?

I don't know why you want the data but as the requirement for aircraft operators to have a Safety Management System is implemented requests for data like these could become common - it could be argued that is is detrimental to safety to withold the information....be it the CAA or BHD that does the witholding.

All airports keep their own Statistics....As far as I know they have not been labelled secret or sensitive.
Quote from the CAA bird strike section about the data supplied....
In what capacity do you require the specific data for BHD?? I would like to know before I see if I can offer further assistance.

Ok sent the CAA another FOI :ugh:

How many CA 1282 forms were completed and returned in relation to bird strikes at Belfast City Airport in 2006 and 2007 also the the first 5 months of 2008 ? :E




............................................................ .........................................

"Could you provide me with the following information.

Could you tell me the total number of bird strikes at Belfast harbour airport ( bhd ) in 2006 and 2007 ?

Also if possible the number of bird strikes in the first 4 months in 2008".

The CAA, are limited both by policy and by statute in the extent to which we are able to provide information of this nature.

Section 31(1)(g) of the Freedom of Information Act 2000 provides that information is exempt information if its disclosure would, or would be likely to, prejudice the exercise by any public authority of its functions for any of the purposes specified in sub-section (2), (This exemption is reproduced below for your reference). Sub-section (2)(d) specifies the ‘purpose of ascertaining a person’s fitness or competence in relation to the management of bodies corporate or in relation to any profession or other activity which he is, or seeks to become, authorised to carry on’. The granting of an Aerodrome Licence, and the CAA being satisfied that such a Licence should remain in force, depend to a large extent on the CAA being satisfied as to the fitness and competence of the applicant or Licence holder, having regard to internationally laid down standards and requirements. It is vital that there should be the fullest and most open discussions of all relevant matters between the CAA and the organisations it regulates. This is so that any safety issues can be exposed and addressed. Such a relationship would likely be prejudiced if the CAA were willing to disclose information about its oversight of an organisation that arises out of its regulatory relationship. Accordingly, the information you requested is exempt information by reason of Section 31(1)(g).

This is a qualified exemption, which means that the information must nevertheless be disclosed unless "in all the circumstances of the case, the public interest in maintaining the exemption outweighs the public interest in disclosing the information." I have, therefore, also considered whether the public interest is served by disclosing information that relates to the CAA’s function of maintaining aviation safety.

The public interest in disclosure of the information in the reports of CAA audits includes: enabling the wider public to make informed decisions about the safety of aerodromes in the UK; transparency and open government; the public right of access to official information held; promoting the accountability of the CAA for its decisions; and improving public confidence in the safety of aerodromes.

However, disclosure of reports of safety audits of regulated organisations, including aerodromes, is likely to prejudice the CAA’s open relationship with those it regulates and the CAA’s ability to ensure that the UK’s aviation safety standards are maintained or improved. In the circumstances of this case, the public interest in maintaining the exemption outweighs the public interest in disclosing the information that you requested.

The CAA does publish statistics on the total number of birdstrikes across the UK and these may be found on the CAA’s website at the following link:
http://www.caa.co.uk/default.aspx?catid=375&pagetype=90&pageid=3404
Yours sincerely
#### #########
FoIA & EIR Case Manager



:mad:

I found that BHD were planning to enter a council park and round up some birds and either shoot them or ring their necks :eek:

I managed to get it stop and now i want to find out what was the total number of birds strikes last year.

Skyhigh Ulster

You will change your mind if you have a close encounter with a bird when flying in or out of BHD.

The space around an airport is our domain now and no more that of the birds.

You will be doing us a favour if you invite those birds into your own back yard.

If you mean airspace fair enough - but the airport have no right to enter a park owned by the public and carry out this slaughter.

Sky High,

now you mention the real reason for your request I can understand the reason for your request.

Many airports have far more practical ways of dispersing and discouraging birds, not least of which is the deployment of trained birds of prey in precisely the circumstances which you describe.

Given the maritime environment at BHD, it would be impossible to rid the area entirely of birdlife around the airport and it's vital that they are dispersed for obvious safety reasons, but you may like to suggest the above.

Unfortunately the didn't consider anything else apart from the Cull and egg pricking.

Maybe its part of their bigger plan to extend the runway !!

great news
 

Having appealed the orginal decision by the CAA - they've backed down and have released the number of bird strikes :ok:




"The total number of birdstrikes reported to the CAA for Belfast City Airport by year are:-
2006 = 43
2007 = 12
Jan to Apr 2008 = 5 "

Looks like there BCU is having some effect. Culling of birds within a 15 mile radius if proved to be a source of danger is reasonable as a last resort.
I don't know what type of bird or what the danger was but I wouldn't condemn it just because it was a Public park.
The numbers you have are all well and good, but, did they break the strikes down into Species, time, weather etc? The whole picture is needed. I don't think you will feel too good if one of the birds you 'Saved' brings down an aeroplane..
I don't like killing birds so it's always last resort. However, safety of the Aeroplane is paramount in my book.