FAA proposes to keep bird strike data secret
 

The US FAA is now proposing to not disclose information about bird strikes fearing a negative reaction among the flying public about airports with high levels of reported strikes. See the linked article:

FAA wants to keep bird strike records confidential

Surely they would be better in putting their efforts at attempting to find solutions to reduce the number of bird strikes.... :ugh:

Keep it secret keep it safe - is Gandalf in charge at FAA?

Maybe there should be a pool on how long before it appears on wikileaks.

This decision is madness.

Next will be banning reporting of ANY incidents involving aircraft in case it puts the public off flying; there are a number of organisations trying to do that already - don't give them any help!

Dual role
 

Another problem caused by the FAA's dual role - both running safety, and running the "promotion" of the Aviation sector in USA.
Sometimes the promotion role leads to political responses like this. .........it's a bit like the FAA response to BA's 3-engine flight - pure politics, with safety as an afterthought.

Taking a helpful gambit from recent governmental actions, the FAA should issue a signing statement asserting "the so-called bird-strike problem" doesn't exist.

Hmmm - om one hand I do agree with the FAA. Sensitive information should be treated with great care and we all know that 'the flying public' tends to overreact and jump at conclusions which have not much factual background.

If this is intended to gather sufficient information to create a scientific basis for measures against further, hopefully avoidable encounters of the sort 'Airbus vs. the Canadian Geese', fine.

But publicity also tells everybody: 'Hey, we're doing everything possible and we have nothing to hide'. Maybe that's the problem: that the Feds. are not doing all that should and/or could be done...

Closing eyes in front of a problem doesn't solves it... This should not be implemented by FAA... :ugh:

If there is a way to make a stupid decision, the FAA (and much of the rest of government) seem particularly adept at finding and implementing it.

Hidden adgenda
 

Are the Bushs' back in power? :confused:

Jetopa wrote:
In fairness to most SLF, they tend to react to press reports, rather than to hard information. Perhaps a better-educated public, or more restrained reporting (HAH!) would help matters.

I think that they should NOT keep the data secret: passengers have a right to know the data!! If they keep the data secret, it may also keep some people from flying!

FOIA
 

Someone needs to file a Freedom of Information Act request for the data, then we'll know what it contains.

Anti-bird strike technique
 

Just use your weather radar. It's free. I've used this technique for 10+ years at Southwest, where we are in the takeoff/landing environment more than most. I've seen many potential strikes fold their wings and dive out of the way. Coinsedence maybe, but again, it's free and seems to work.

Freedom of information?
 

There was a Freedom of Information request for the final report in 2008 to be seen regading a serious flight safety incident in 2004 - result: No need for a pilot to see the result of their own Mandatory Occurrence Report.

The CAA always win...

http://www.informationtribunal.gov.u...uth05Mar08.pdf

Don't bother!

DB :ok:

I can see it now, top US lawyer sues FAA for not giving crash victim choice on Airport of departure.:eek:

well, I thing this is not a good idea hide information related of this problem, not help to find a solution it´s better if FAA with companies work together and find the way to avoid this serious problem:rolleyes:

In the horror show that is American "courts", it is lawsuits that have caused this reaction by the FAA. They cannot kill off the offending wildlife, but they, airlines and airport operators can get sued when the inevitable happens. Silly, but all-American.

GF

Department of Transportation to reject FAA proposal
 

Well that seems to have nailed that one on the head then.

Do you folks across the pond think airlines would be stupid enough to stop passing on reported bird strikes to the FAA because of this?