A team of researchers at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University recently won first place at a national competition for a research project focused on using drones to help mitigate the risk of wildlife hazards at airports.
To avoid dangerous and costly collisions between wildlife and aircraft, airport biologists are constantly monitoring nearby animal populations and attempting to reduce features that might attract hazardous species to the airport, according to the researchers.
“Drones not only make the process more cost-effective but also significantly enhance the ability to identify different wildlife species simultaneously,” said Anna Golendukhina, an aviation master’s student and one of the authors of the research. “This is especially important because it helps us better understand how these animals interact with their habitats, which can be crucial for ensuring airport safety.”
The team’s project won first place in the Airport Cooperative Research Program’s Student Research Design Competition held in the summer of 2024 in Washington, D.C.
Because drones can access hard-to-reach areas, cover ground quickly, and use camera sensors to gather information about local environments, the technology is perfect for collecting information about wildlife and their natural habitats in challenging environments, according to the researchers.
“Drones make the entire process of wildlife data collection not only more thorough but also much safer for the experts involved,” Golendukhina added. “We strongly believe the safe application of UAS technologies could be a game-changer — improving safety, saving money, and giving airport operators a clearer picture of how wildlife interacts with airport environments.”
Eagle Eye View
To evaluate the strengths and weaknesses of using drones, the researchers collected data on a farm near the Daytona Beach International Airport, which is next door to Embry‑Riddle’s Daytona Beach Campus. During these trips, they followed the FAA’s requirements regarding wildlife hazard assessment — including identifying local wildlife species and their numbers, noting the daily and seasonal occurrences of these species, and identifying nearby features that could attract wildlife.
“Due to the unique versatility and maneuverability of Unmanned Aerial Systems, we were able to achieve aerial perspectives, even in areas with challenging terrains, such as wetlands, forests and coastlines,” Golendukhina said.
The team was also able to track animals at night using thermal infrared cameras, identify animals that do not travel in groups, and spot birds that fly at higher altitudes — all tasks that prove more difficult using traditional methods, according to the researchers.
The team also interviewed veteran industry experts — such as former FAA Administrator Capt. Billy Nolen, who now serves as chief safety officer at Archer Aviation; David Castaneda, airport wildlife supervisor at Charlotte Douglas International Airport; and Cathy Boyles, wildlife program manager at Dallas Fort Worth International Airport — each of whom offered valuable feedback on their work.
“These connections to accomplished industry executives are incredibly powerful,” said Dr. Flavio Mendonca, associate professor of Aeronautical Science and the team’s faculty mentor. “Our students quite literally learned from the best, and they expanded their networks in the process.”
In addition to Golendukhina, the Embry‑Riddle team included master’s students Savanna Box, Nicholas Buckalew, Raymon Ayres, and Jose L. Cabrera.
For more information: ERAU.edu
