Advanced Airport Wildlife Training
We offer specialized environmental consulting to support aviation safety, compliance, and wildlife risk mitigation, with a team of Federal Aviation Administration (FAA)-Qualified Airport Wildlife Biologists (QAWB) and experts ready to assist with FAA-QAWB Training and Wildlife Hazard Management Training (WHMT).
FAA-QAWB Training
Purpose:
This course provides 24 hours of classroom study and focuses on the tools, techniques, and implementation of a wildlife hazard management program for airports. This course fulfills the FAA training requirements as outlined in FAA Advisory Circular (AC) 150/5200-36B, Qualifications for Wildlife Biologist Conducting Wildlife Hazard Assessments and Training Curriculums for Airport Personnel Involved in Controlling Wildlife Hazards on Airports. Participants will attend classroom lectures and Q&A sessions augmented with hands-on field training for the application of techniques discussed in the classroom.
Participants:
This course is designed for:
- Wildlife biologists pursuing the FAA-QAWB certification
- Airport operators and staff who implement a Wildlife Hazard Management Plan (WHMP) or conduct wildlife management
- Aviation students
- State and FAA personnel
- Military personnel involved in Bird/Wildlife Aircraft Strike Hazard (BASH)
- Aviation stakeholders
Annual Refreshers:
Our WHMT (see below) fulfills the “recurrent training” requirements for airport personnel.
Wildlife Hazard Management Training (WHMT)
Purpose:
This course includes eight hours of classroom study addressing the minimum annual wildlife hazard management curriculum for the initial and recurrent training of airport personnel involved in implementing an FAA-approved WHMP. The training will be in accordance with the FAA WHMT guidelines outlined in AC 150/5200-36B.
Participants:
This course is usually attended by host airport personnel. We can coordinate regional training sessions within a single state and provide “Train the Trainer” services so airport personnel can use their own qualified staff/trainers to conduct training the following year.
FAA Part 139 WHMT available upon request.
Please contact us if you are interested in scheduling a WHMT at your airport.
Additional Services We Provide
- Wildlife Hazard Assessments (WHA): 12-month survey conducted in accordance with FAA AC 150/5200-38 to identify and assess wildlife hazards at airports
- Wildlife Hazard Site Visits (WHSV): Three-day survey to assess current wildlife activity, habitat attractants, and mitigation effectiveness
- Wildlife Hazard Management Plans (WHMP): Development of customized WHMPs that comply with FAA requirements and address airport-specific wildlife risks
- Annual WHMP Reviews: Technical reviews and updates of existing WHMPs to maintain FAA compliance and adapt to evolving conditions
- Wildlife Hazard Working Group (WHWG) Support: Facilitation or participation in required quarterly or semi-annual meetings, including preparation of materials and documentation
- Depredation Permit Applications: Preparation, submission, and renewal of U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) Form 3-200-13 for migratory bird, eagle depredation, incidental take, and eagle disturbance permits, including coordination with U.S. FWS and USDA Wildlife Services
- Continual Wildlife Monitoring: Ongoing field monitoring to track wildlife activity, assess mitigation success, and inform adaptive management strategies in accordance with FAA AC 150/5200‑38, which defines continual monitoring programs as part of a WHMP
- On-Call Environmental Support: Responsive technical support for emergent wildlife issues, strike investigations, or environmental compliance needs
- Part 139 Wildlife Inspection Assistance: Support during FAA Part 139 inspections, including preparation of required documentation, staff training and briefings, and on-site representation to ensure compliance with wildlife hazard management requirements
- FAA-QAWB Site Assessment: Evaluation of proposed development sites on or near airports to identify potential wildlife hazards, conducted in accordance with FAA AC 150/5200-33C
- BASH Avian Hazard Advisory System (AHAS) Training: Comprehensive instruction on the capabilities and limitations of the AHAS to enhance flight safety and wildlife hazard mitigation
- Snarge Collection and Strike Reporting Training: Hands-on training on proper strike evidence collection, identification protocols, and reporting procedures via FAA’s National Wildlife Strike Database.
- BASH Assessments and Plans: Development and execution of comprehensive BASH assessments and mitigation strategies in accordance with Department of Defense (DoD) directives, FAA regulations, and service-specific guidance to support flight safety and mission readiness across military and civilian airfields
In addition to aviation-focused services, our team provides comprehensive environmental consulting support including:
- Flora and fauna surveys
- Threatened and endangered species surveys
- Wildlife relocation and mitigation
- Wetland and waterway delineation and permitting
- Wetland mitigation bank development
- Environmental compliance monitoring
- Environmental remediation services
Please contact us to discuss your specific project needs or to request a proposal. We look forward to supporting your mission with science-based, practical solutions.
Frequently Asked Questions
After this course, what else do I need to do to become a FAA-QAWB?
The FAA-QAWB certification is now managed by The Wildlife Society (TWS).
Eligible Certified Wildlife Biologists® (CWB®) may add the FAA-QAWB designation to their credentials. Applicants must meet the qualifications laid out in FAA AC 150/5200-36B regarding education, training, and an approved WHA. To obtain the FAA-QAWB designation through TWS, applicants must meet the following requirements:
- Be approved by TWS as a CWB®
- Take and pass an airport WHMT course acceptable to the FAA Administrator
- Under the direct supervision of a FAA-QAWB mentor, provide documentation of either:
- Having conducted at least one WHA acceptable to the FAA Administrator
- Having conducted at least one year of continual wildlife hazard monitoring at a certificated airport using FAA-approved methodology
To maintain this designation, applicants will need to complete at least one of the following within five years of the initial FAA-approved airport WHMT course, and every five years after:
- Airport WHMT course that is acceptable to the FAA Administrator
- Attendance, as a registered participant, at an Aviation Wildlife Management Conference (Bird Strike Committee USA or Canada) meeting
- Other training acceptable to the FAA Administrator
Note: QAWBs previously approved by Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University will be grandfathered into the TWS QAWB program (regardless of any other TWS certification) but must continue to complete FAA-approved training courses and maintain membership in TWS to retain the designation.
For questions about the QAWB designation or how to apply for QAWB status, email Jennifer Murphy, Certification and Outreach Manager, at certification@wildlife.org.
When should I book my flights?
Please plan on arriving the day before training starts as we will begin promptly at 8:00 am. Training will end at 5:00 pm on the final day.
Is there a dress code?
No, there is no official dress code. Casual or field attire is acceptable as we will have both outdoor-field and classroom sessions. Please wear closed-toe shoes.
What should I bring?
All necessary PPE will be provided; however, you are encouraged to bring eye and ear protection and a laptop (preferred not required).
Please reach us at qawb@bbch-llc.com if you cannot find an answer to your question.