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You are in:  Home » Publications » Bulletins » Bulletin 155

Bulletin No 155, October 2004

Twenty-seventh Antarctic Treaty Consultative Meeting
Cape Town, South Africa, 24 May – 4 June 2004

• Decision 1
• Decision 2, Annex to Decision 2
• Decision 3
• Decision 4
• Resolution 1 (2004)
• Resolution 2 (2004)
• Resolution 3 (2004)
• Resolution 4 (2004)
• Resolution 5 (2004)
• Measure 1 (2004)
• ASMA No 2

Resolution 2 (2004)

Guidelines for the Operation of Aircraft near Concentrations of Birds in Antarctica

The Representatives,
Recalling Article 3 of the Environmental Protocol which requires that activities in the Antarctic Treaty area shall be planned and conducted so as to limit adverse impacts on the Antarctic environment;
Recalling also the requirements of Annex II of the Environmental Protocol on the Conservation of Antarctic Fauna and Flora;
Aware of the potential for harmful disturbance to concentrations of birds in Antarctica by the operation of aircraft;
Noting that specific standards for aircraft operations may be contained in Antarctic Specially Protected Area (ASPA) and Antarctic Specially Managed Area (ASMA) management plans;
Recognizing that some Parties may already have in place more stringent guidelines for the operation of aircraft near wildlife;
Aware that the scientific data on the impact of aircraft operations on wildlife will continue to improve and that guidance on minimum standards should remain under review;
Conscious of the need for minimum guidance on the operation of aircraft near concentrations of birds in order to minimize the impacts of such activities;

Recommend that:
The Guidelines for the Operation of Aircraft Near Concentrations of Birds in Antarctica appended to this Resolution be used by those engaged in the operation of aircraft in the Antarctic.
Parties should be encouraged to adopt higher standards for the operation of aircraft near concentrations of birds to suit their particular needs and circumstances.

Guidelines for the Operation of Aircraft near Concentrations of Birds in Antarctica

1. Introduction

Fixed-wing aircraft and helicopter operations are now integral to most national Antarctic research programmes, as well as being used by a small number of commercial tourist and air transport companies. The potential for harmful disturbance to concentrations of birds makes it important to provide pilots with guidelines that would prevent or minimize damaging impacts during overflights. Unfortunately, there is a lack of definitive scientific data on which to base firm guidelines for pilots. Moreover, most of the available research relates to penguins and different species of birds are likely to react in different ways or to different degrees to over-flights.

2. Background

The United Kingdom introduced Working Paper ATCM XXV / WP-26 at ATCM XXV in Warsaw (2002) to bring the issue to the attention of Treaty Parties and to propose a particular set of guidelines. The CEP invited COMNAP, in consultation with SCAR, to review the guidelines, and to report back to the CEP. The present paper presents our conclusions and a recommended set of guidelines. Pending further scientific evidence, these guidelines are considered to constitute a reasonable basis for voluntary implementation. They are based on the practical experience of researchers, including input from SCAR, and on experience derived from the national operators’ provision of logistics support to researchers. These guidelines are designed to help aircraft operations in Antarctica to be undertaken safely with the minimal environmental impact.
COMNAP recommends that aircraft operations in Antarctica should be planned and carried out in accordance with these guidelines to the maximum extent practicable.

3. Guidelines

Minimum Distances for Aircraft Operations Close to Concentrations of Birds

There are many variables in noise levels received on the ground during aircraft operations. Determining factors on noise levels include flight height, the type of aircraft and engine, the flight profile, the weather and the location. Pilots will need to make their own judgements based on the aircraft type, task and operational safety considerations.
Unless otherwise specified, for example by an ASPA management plan or ASMA guidelines, recommended distances are set out below. It is recognized however that whilst these represent preferred distances, which should be adhered to the extent possible, operators may already have developed guidelines to suit their own particular needs and circumstances.

• Penguin, albatross and other bird colonies are not to be overflown below 2000ft (~ 610 m) Above Ground Level, except when operationally necessary.
• Landings within _ nautical mile (~ 930 m) of penguin, albatross or other bird colonies should be avoided wherever possible.
• Never hover or make repeated passes over wildlife concentrations or fly lower than necessary.
• Maintain a vertical separation distance of 2000 ft (~ 610 m) AGL and a horizontal separation of 1/4 nautical mile (~ 460 m) from the coastline where possible.
• Cross coasts at right angles and above 2000 ft (~610 m) AGL where possible.

Location of aircraft operations (other considerations)

• Be aware that concentrations of birds are most often found in coastal areas.
• Be aware that when operating aircraft in inland areas, snow and Antarctic petrel colonies are frequently found on nunataks. Minimum over-flight distance should be maintained in such areas.
• Where practical, landings near to concentrations of birds should be downwind and/or behind a prominent physical barrier (e.g. hill) to minimize disturbance.
• Avoid Antarctic Specially Protected Areas, unless authorized to over-fly and/or land by a permit issued by an appropriate national authority. For many ASPAs there are specific controls on aircraft operations, which are set out in the relevant Management Plans.
• Follow aircraft flight heights, preferred flight paths and approach paths contained in the Antarctic Flight Information Manual (AFIM), in station aircraft operation manuals and on relevant charts and maps. Once the guidelines have been adopted, COMNAP envisages the preparation of Wild Life and Low Flying Avoidance Maps for the major airstrips in the Antarctic (e.g. Marsh, Marambio, Rothera, McMurdo).
• Particularly avoid flying toward concentrations of birds immediately after take-off and avoid steep banking turns in flight as these significantly increase the amount of noise generated.

Timing of aircraft operations

• Most native bird species breed at coastal locations in Antarctica between October and April each season. During the planning of aircraft operations near to concentrations of birds, consideration should be given to undertaking flying activities outside of the main breeding and/or moulting periods.
• Where aircraft operations are necessary close to concentrations of birds, then the duration of flights should be the minimum necessary.
• To minimize bird strikes, especially in coastal areas, avoid flying after dark between October and April. At this time of year, prions and petrels are active. These birds are nocturnal when breeding and are attracted by lights.

Aircraft operations should be delayed or cancelled if weather conditions (e.g. cloud base, winds) are such that the suggested minimum vertical and horizontal separation distances given in these guidelines cannot be maintained.