Untamed Airfields - The Wildlife Challenge at Rural Airports

In the world of aviation, managing wildlife hazards is a high-stakes game that most travelers never even think about. Birds, deer, even coyotes—wildlife and aircraft don’t mix well. And while big airports in urban centers are armed with cutting-edge technology to keep runways clear, remote and rural airports face a very different challenge. These smaller, often isolated facilities deal with wildlife issues in ways that are not only unique but often daunting. Without the resources of their larger counterparts, they must find creative, sometimes unconventional solutions to keep the skies—and the runways—safe.

Why Wildlife Hazards Matter

Wildlife strikes are no small matter. According to the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), wildlife strikes have increased over the years, with more than 17,000 reported annually in the U.S. alone. These incidents cost the aviation industry hundreds of millions of dollars in damage, delays, and disruptions. And while bird strikes are the most common, larger animals like deer, moose, and even alligators have been known to make unwanted runway appearances.

For most large airports, mitigating these risks is a high-tech operation. Radar systems track flocks of birds in real-time, and sophisticated fencing keeps animals at bay. At Chicago’s O'Hare International Airport, for instance, there are entire teams of wildlife biologists who use everything from trained falcons to pyrotechnics to deter animals. But what happens when you move far away from the big city lights—out to a small, rural airport nestled between endless fields or sprawling forests?

The Unique Challenge of Remote Airports

At remote and rural airports, wildlife hazards are not just a nuisance; they’re a constant battle. These airports are typically surrounded by miles of open land, making them prime territory for all sorts of wildlife to roam. The typical barriers that keep animals out—such as high-tech fencing, radar, and dedicated staff—are often too expensive or impractical to install at smaller facilities.

Take, for example, Barrow Airport in the far northern reaches of Alaska, where polar bears occasionally wander onto the runway, especially during the colder months. While fencing might seem like an obvious solution, it’s not so easy in an area where temperatures regularly drop to minus 40 degrees, and the ground is permafrost. In such a landscape, installing and maintaining traditional barriers becomes a near-impossible task.

Or consider the Lopez Island Airport in Washington State. This small facility, serving just a few flights a day, is surrounded by forests and open fields. Local wildlife, including deer, raccoons, and even bald eagles, is a common sight. For the airport, a million-dollar wildlife radar system, like those found at large urban airports, simply isn’t feasible. But deer wandering onto the runway pose a very real risk to incoming flights.

And let’s not forget about Moose Jaw Municipal Airport in Saskatchewan, Canada, where the occasional moose (yes, moose) finds its way onto the airfield. The sheer size and stubbornness of these animals make them formidable obstacles, with traditional fencing proving inadequate to keep them out.

Creative Solutions for Wildlife Hazards

So, how do remote airports tackle these challenges? With a lot of creativity, local expertise, and, sometimes, a little help from Mother Nature.

One approach used by rural airports is building strong relationships with local wildlife experts. At Talkeetna Airport, another Alaskan facility surrounded by wilderness, the airport staff works closely with local wildlife biologists. These experts help them monitor animal movement patterns and predict when animals are most likely to be near the runway. By anticipating when moose are likely to wander through or when birds are nesting nearby, they can better time flights to avoid wildlife encounters.

Other airports have taken a low-tech approach. Ithaca Tompkins Regional Airport in New York, for example, employs border collies. These specially trained dogs patrol the grounds, scaring away birds and smaller animals. The dogs are part of the airport staff, and while they may not be as advanced as radar, they’re incredibly effective at keeping the airfield clear.

In more agricultural regions, like Nebraska’s North Platte Regional Airport, local farmers work with airport managers to reduce wildlife attractants. For example, crops that attract birds and animals, such as corn, are avoided near the airport, while shorter grasses that are less appealing to wildlife are planted instead.

Airports in desert or tropical regions sometimes face a different problem altogether. In the southwestern United States, some remote airports deal with coyotes sneaking onto the runway. At Laughlin/Bullhead International Airport in Arizona, fencing simply wasn’t enough to keep them out. The airport experimented with various techniques, from motion-sensor lights to sonic deterrents. They eventually settled on a combination of buried fencing and more frequent patrols, which drastically reduced the number of wildlife incursions.

The Limits of Technology

While large urban airports may rely on technology, the rural counterparts often find it less reliable—or simply unaffordable. Radar systems, for instance, which can detect flocks of birds or even large animals approaching the runway, can cost millions to install and maintain. For an airport handling only a handful of flights a day, those costs simply don’t make sense. Moreover, in places like Nome, Alaska, where extreme weather regularly interferes with technology, even the most advanced systems can fail.

Instead, these airports often rely on local knowledge and manual inspections. Many small airports have staff members who patrol the runway before takeoff, checking for any animal activity. It’s a low-tech solution, but for many rural airports, it’s the most practical option available.

What Lies Ahead... Balancing Cost and Safety

The challenge of wildlife management at rural airports isn’t going away anytime soon. As air travel continues to increase, even small airports will likely see more traffic, making the need for effective wildlife management even more critical. Yet, balancing the cost of these solutions with the operational needs of smaller airports remains a difficult equation.

In the future, we may see advancements in low-cost technology—such as portable radar systems or drone-based monitoring—that could provide smaller airports with the tools they need to manage wildlife hazards more effectively. Until then, remote airports will continue to do what they’ve always done, rely on a mix of ingenuity, collaboration, and boots-on-the-ground knowledge to keep both the skies and the runways safe.

At the End of the Day

In the grand scheme of aviation, wildlife management may not grab headlines like airport expansions or cutting-edge aircraft. But for rural and remote airports, it’s a constant struggle, one that requires creative problem-solving, adaptability, and a deep understanding of the local environment. The solutions might not be glamorous, but they’re vital—and often, they’re the only things standing between a safe landing and disaster.

Just like managing wildlife at rural airports, personal and professional growth requires patience, adaptability, and creative problem-solving. The path may be unpredictable, with unexpected obstacles appearing along the way, but by staying resourceful and resilient, you can navigate through any challenge and soar to new heights. - Elias "Double-A" Andrews.