Wed, Sep 29, 2010
Swarms Of Insects Pose A Threat To Flying
When we tune in the ATIS at KSGJ, ANN's home airport, we've
become accustomed to a boilerplate warning about water birds on or
near the runways. It's part of the joy of living near so much
water. And frankly, we'd rather have the birds that what pilots in
some areas of Australia are facing right now. They're being warned
of the potential dangers plague locusts pose to flying.
The Australian Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) says high
density hatchings of locusts have already occurred in the central
west and far west regions of New South Wales, north-west
Victoria and the Flinders Range region of South Australia. The
agency says people operating aircraft in these areas must be aware
of the likelihood of encountering locusts and the risks they cause
to aircraft. Pilots should also regularly check to see if new
hatchings of locusts have occurred in other regions or if
infestations have spread.
Locusts can fly up to 3000 feet and can be in swarms of up to 50
million. Individual swarms can range over tens or even hundreds of
miles. The insects are also active at night, travelling up to
hundreds of miles in the right conditions. Locust infestations can
attract large bird numbers, increasing the risk of aircraft bird
strikes.
A notice issued by CASA to pilots says swarms of adult locusts
can pose a direct threat to aviation. In sufficient numbers they
can mask ground features and cause reduced visibility by impacting
windscreens. Ingestion of locusts into engine intakes and pitot
tubes can cause damage and result in instruments providing
unreliable readings.
CASA says pilots should be aware in locust plague areas there
may be more aircraft traffic than usual due to aerial spotting and
spraying. Care should especially be taken during take offs and
landings in these locations. Pilots should also be aware that
locusts pose risks to parked aircraft by entering intakes and pitot
tubes. Covers must be fitted to prevent locust ingestion.
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