Embry-Riddle students win award for drone project reducing airport bird strike risks

Traditional WHA methods face limitations due to logistical constraints and visibility challenges. Drones can overcome these by accessing difficult terrains and utilizing advanced technologies like night vision or sensors more effectively than human observation alone.

The research team collected data from farmland near Daytona Beach International Airport using drones equipped with thermal cameras to track animals at night and identify birds flying at higher altitudes. Interviews with industry experts such as former FAA Administrator Billy Nolen and wildlife supervisors from major airports were conducted as part of their study.

According to Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) data, there have been 272,016 documented wildlife strikes involving aircraft in the US from 1990-2022. Most incidents involve birds; however, 81 cases resulted in aircraft being written off. Notably, US Airways Flight 1549 experienced multiple bird strikes leading to an emergency landing on the Hudson River.

In 2022 alone, there were 17,190 recorded bird strikes—marking a 10% increase from the previous year—with damage reported in 7% of cases. These incidents are estimated to have cost airlines up to $1 billion in maintenance costs without accounting for lost revenue due to aircraft downtime.