From 1990 to 2007, more than 4,100 wildlife strikes involving 95 species occurred at Illinois airports. To address these hazards, WS personnel in Illinois contributed 5.395 staff years to provide assistance at 24 civil 1 military and 5 joint use airports for a total of 30 airports in FY 2010. In addition, technical training was provided at 19 airports for 111 airport personnel.
WS biologists in Chicago are working with researchers at WS' National Wildlife Research Center and the University of Illinois to evaluate radars for identifying and managing wildlife hazards to aircraft. This collaborative research project is designed to determine how avian radars can be best used to promote aviation safety through wildlife hazard management at airports.