Birds take flight as Air Force personnel get on their bikes

Chasing birds while riding a quad bike could be the answer to a million-dollar problem.

Air Force personnel at RNZAF Base Ohakea have come up with a solution to birdstrike that is getting international recognition: they drive at the birds on farm bikes.

Using quad bikes was suggested last July when flights at Ohakea were stopped because it was inundated with about 60 to 70 plovers and large numbers of seagulls, starlings and magpies.

After a suggestion from staff, Squadron Leader Jon Eyley borrowed a couple of quad bikes and began a five-week trial.

It took five weeks, but the birds got the message, he said. "The trial reduced the number of birds down to what you can count on one hand."

It took up to 40 minutes to move the birds and drivers would go out at least three times a day, more if required. The trial stopped on September 9 and the birds were back by September 17.

Damage to aircraft caused by birdstrikes cost Ohakea about $1 million last year.

Squadron Leader Eyley has applied for funding for three quad bikes - two to use to sort out the birds and the third as a crash-response vehicle.

- NZPA