FAAN acquires equipment to control bird strike
The Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) has acquired equipment to control incidences of bird strikes and other hazards related to wildlife.
The agency said the acquisition of the bird/wildlife hazard control equipment would improve the safety of flight operations at the nation’s airports.
Speaking at the commissioning of the equipment in Lagos, the Managing Director of the Authority, Captain Rabiu Yadudu, who was represented by the Director of Commercial and Business Development, Alhaji Sadiku Rafindadi, noted that the equipment is one of the best in the world.
According to the MD, the equipment was procured on the recommendation of the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO), adding that the deployment of this 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, the Authority’s Director of Airport Operations, Captain Muktar Muye, expressed his delight at the arrival of the equipment.
He 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.
TW gathered that some of the hi-tech equipment commissioned include 3 different models of bird scaring gas canons, Day boxes 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 by the representative of the MD/CE and the Director of Airport Operations.
