A Bird Hazard Control Committee (BHCC) meeting was held at Pakistan Air Force (PAF) Base Masroor to address pressing issues related to bird hazards and their impact on flight safety. The meeting, chaired by Group Captain Kashif Iqbal, Officer Commanding Flying Wing at PAF Base Masroor, brought together key stakeholders to discuss strategies to minimise risks to aircraft operations.
The meeting agenda focused on critical areas, including the garbage removal mechanism in SITE, Baldia Town, relocation of Temporary Displaced Persons (TDPs) from flying funnels/Base Turn areas, and managing hazards caused by pigeons, kites, and quadcopters.Squadron Leader M. Asfand Hamza, Flight Safety Officer, delivered a detailed presentation emphasizing the importance of addressing bird hazards.
He highlighted alarming statistics, revealing that the PAF has suffered 5,585 bird strike incidents to date, resulting in the loss of 20 aircraft and the martyrdom of six pilots. “A single bird can destroy an aircraft engine, posing a severe risk to both lives and national assets,” he noted.
The meeting highlighted the primary attractants for bird flocks, including garbage dump sites near airfields. According to Squadron Leader Hamza, 85% of bird strikes occur outside the base’s vicinity, with the remaining 15% happening within the base. He shared measures taken by the Bird Shooter Team at PAF Base Masroor to control these risks, such as using firecrackers, scarecrows, de-nesting, sprays, and implementing a bird repellent system.
In addition, comprehensive surveys have been conducted in areas surrounding the base to identify and manage bird attractants. Moreover, the major concerns highlighted were improper garbage disposal, pigeon keeping, and aerial firings near wedding halls. Authorities were urged to take immediate action to address these issues.“The coordination of efforts through the BHCC ensures minimizing bird hazards. Responsible authorities are also requested to prioritize reducing attractants to protect flight operations and prevent accidents,” Squadron Leader Hamza emphasized.A detailed overview of the funnel area was also discussed, highlighting significant concerns for flight operations.
