Research Article

AN UNPRECEDENTED HISTORY OF MILITARY AIRCRAFT BIRD STRIKES IN ROMANIA

Volume: 4 Number: 10 April 30, 2018
  • Valentina-mariana Manoiu *
  • Stefan Gheorghe
  • Adrian Tiscovschi
  • Alexandru-ioan Craciun
  • Razvan-madalin Spiridon
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IJASOS- International E-journal of Advances in Social Sciences
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AN UNPRECEDENTED HISTORY OF MILITARY AIRCRAFT BIRD STRIKES IN ROMANIA

Abstract

This paper tackles a never-before-approached topic in Romania, as it aims to empirically analyse the 26 cases of collision between military aircrafts and birds that occurred between 1967 and 1991. The work is based exclusively on observations made by the Head of the Meteorological Department of the Romanian Military Aviation Commandment between 1990 and 1993, commander (retired) and meteorologist. This paper complements various scientific and statistical studies in the field, which lacked information about military aircraft bird strikes in Romania. In addition to these 26 collisions, 3 other incidents involving military aircrafts may have been bird-related. They occurred in 2002 (2, one of which was a catastrophe that lead to the pilot’s death) and 2007 (1 incident). The study objectives were to analyse the collisions’ locations (prevalence of certain aerodromes), the atmospheric and seasonal conditions in which the collisions occurred, and the types of aircrafts and bird species involved in the incidents, which resulted in a map of the analyses’ main elements. In terms of results and conclusions, it was found that in Romania, in the analysed period, most of the collisions occurred in areas where aerodromes were located in the vicinity of water sources, in autumn, followed by spring, which is linked to the birds’ migration activity, as well as to agricultural practices, as birds relocate in order to look for food sources. Most collisions occurred during the day, under normal meteorological conditions, up to altitudes of 400-500 m. It was also noticed that in over 50% of cases collisions occurred in the vicinity of aerodromes, most often during landing. The most important element that favours bird presence near aerodromes is food and water source availability, which is followed by the availability of various nesting-suitable locations. This study also touches on flight ornithological insurance, factors that stimulate bird concentration near aerodromes, recommendations for ensuring flight safety from an ornithological perspective, as well as methods used to hinder bird presence near aerodromes

Keywords

References

  1. Dekker, A., Van Gasteren, H. (2005). Eurbase: Military Bird Strike Frequency in Europe. IBSC27 Proceedings/WP IX-5, Athens. Gheorghe, S. (1990). Meteorologie pentru piloţi (Meteorology for Pilots). Ministerul Apararii Nationale, Comandamentul Aviatiei Militare, Bucuresti, Romania, pp 232-240. Kitowski, I. (2011). Civil and Military Birdstrikes in Europe: An Ornithological Approach. Journal of Applied Sciences. Asian Network for Scientific Information, vol. 11, pp 183-191. Radu, D. (1984). Pasarile in peisajele Romaniei (Birds in the Romanian Landscapes). Editura Sport-Turism. Bucuresti, Romania, pp 96-100/pp 176-210. Richardson, J.W. (1996). Serious Birdstrike-Related Accidents to Military Aircraft of Europe and Israel: List and Analysis of Circumstances. International Bird Strike Committee Proceedings and Papers 23 (London, U.K.), pp 33-56. Richardson, J. W., West, T. (2000). Serious Birdstrike Accidents to Military Aircraft: Updated List and Summary. IBSC (International Bird Strike Committee) Proceedings: Papers &Abstr. 25 (Amsterdam, vol. 1), pp 67-97. Romanian Ministry of Environment. Scientific Information on Natura 2000 ROSPA0012 Borcea Arm SPA Site, http://biodiversitate.mmediu.ro/rio/natura2000/view?doc_id=ROSPA0012 Sodhi, N.S. (2002). Competition in the Air: Birds versus Aircraft, The Auk 119 (3). The American Ornithologists’ Union, pp 587-595. Zakrajsek, E.J., Bissonette, J.A. (2005). Ranking the risk of wildlife species hazardous to military aircraft. Wildlife Society Bulletin 33(1), USA, pp 258-264. *** Corine Land Cover 2012, http://land.copernicus.eu/pan-european/corine-land-cover/clc-2012

Details

Primary Language

English

Subjects

-

Journal Section

Research Article

Authors

Valentina-mariana Manoiu *
Romania

Stefan Gheorghe
Romania

Adrian Tiscovschi
Romania

Alexandru-ioan Craciun
Romania

Razvan-madalin Spiridon
Romania

Publication Date

April 30, 2018

Submission Date

January 2, 2018

Acceptance Date

April 3, 2018

Published in Issue

Year 2018 Volume: 4 Number: 10

DOI

https://doi.org/10.18769/ijasos.417926

IZ

https://izlik.org/JA93CR25JZ

Cite

RIS / Bibtex
EndNote
Manoiu V- mariana, Gheorghe S, Tiscovschi A, Craciun A- ioan, Spiridon R- madalin (April 1, 2018) AN UNPRECEDENTED HISTORY OF MILITARY AIRCRAFT BIRD STRIKES IN ROMANIA. IJASOS- International E-journal of Advances in Social Sciences 4 10 191–196.

Contact: ijasosjournal@hotmail.com

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