FAA-Approved 24-Hour QAWB Training
Ready to take your airport wildlife skills to the next level?
This 24-hour course checks all the boxes for FAA Advisory Circular (AC) 150/5200-36B compliance, while delivering far more than the basics.
Location:
Brunswick Golden Isles Airport, 295 Aviation Pkwy, Brunswick, GA 31525
Date: March 24-26, 2026
Time: 8:00 am – 5:00 pm
Cost: $1,500 (Late Registration Cost $1,600 – two weeks prior to course)
Course Overview
Designed to meet the requirements of FAA AC 150/5200-36B and this course is ideal for wildlife biologists seeking QAWB certification, airport personnel, Bird/Wildlife Aircraft Strike Hazard (BASH) program staff, and anyone responsible for managing wildlife hazards in aviation environments.
Led by a team of experienced FAA-QAWBs, CWBs®, NRA Firearms Safety Instructors, and subject matter experts, this course goes beyond the minimum by blending classroom instruction with real-world, hands-on training.
Participants will gain practical experience in:
- Wildlife identification and hazard assessment
- Avian and mammal trapping techniques
- Pyrotechnics and firearms safety
- Snarge collection and strike reporting
- Writing and implementing Wildlife Hazard Assessments (WHAs) and Wildlife Hazard Management Plans (WHMPs)
The agenda includes in-depth coverage of aviation safety regulations, applicable wildlife laws, airport operations, and the FAA’s National Wildlife Strike Database. You will also complete a capstone class project, take part in field training, and leave with essential tools and resources to support your ongoing work.
Whether you are advancing your certification, renewing qualifications, or expanding your on-the-ground skills, this course offers the comprehensive, FAA-compliant training you need to support safe airport operations and effective wildlife management.
Participants
This training course is designed for a wide range of attendees including:
- Wildlife biologists pursuing the FAA-QAWB certification
- Airport operators and staff that implement a WHMP or conduct wildlife management
- Aviation students
- State and federal aviation agencies
- Military personnel involved in BASH
- Aviation stakeholders
Trainers
Megan Baker, FAA-QAWB
Ms. Baker is an FAA-QAWB and has conducted wildlife hazard work at more than 50 airports across the United States, Europe, and Southwest Asia, providing expert support to both civilian and military aviation sectors. Her subject matter expertise spans environmental consulting, wildlife identification, and the development of tailored management strategies to reduce wildlife risks to aviation. She is an FAA-QAWB with a strong background in conducting site visits, preparing WHAs, creating and auditing WHMPs, and delivering Wildlife Hazard Management Training (WHMT). Ms. Baker currently manages the Department of Defense (DoD) and ANG BASH program, overseeing site evaluations at ANG bases nationwide. She regularly collaborates with private firms and government agencies, applying her deep understanding of both military and commercial airport operations to implement effective, site-specific wildlife hazard solutions.
Dave Yow, CWB ®, FAA-QAWB
Mr. Yow is an FAA-QAWB and a leading expert in his field, conducting WHAs and providing wildlife hazard management services at airports across the United States, Mexico, Puerto Rico, and internationally.
He specializes in herpetological and mammalian species identification, with extensive experience surveying and managing threatened species, including locating and documenting burrows, managing relocations, and conducting targeted surveys using detector dogs.
In addition to his aviation wildlife expertise, Mr. Yow is a subject matter expert in wetland delineation and environmental permitting. He applies state and federal methodologies to assess jurisdictional wetlands, monitor mitigation sites, evaluate water quality and hydrology, and perform submerged aquatic resource surveys. He utilizes GIS mapping and photointerpretation tools such as ArcMap and Trimble GPS equipment to support precise field data collection and regulatory coordination with agencies including the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.
His environmental experience also includes natural resource support for remedial investigations and infrastructure projects, providing vegetation and wildlife protection during complex operations and conducting long-term ecological monitoring to inform project planning and mitigate environmental impacts.
Combining technical proficiency, extensive field knowledge, and regulatory insight, Mr. Yow is a key technical specialist in airport wildlife hazard management and environmental consulting projects requiring rigorous scientific protocols and regulatory compliance.
Where to Stay
There are several hotels we recommend based on what you are looking for. All distances are from the training location at 295 Aviation Pkwy, Brunswick, GA 31525
Embassy Suites by Hilton Brunswick
- Distance to airport: ~4 miles
- Complimentary airport shuttle available
- Free breakfast
Fairfield Inn & Suites by Marriott Brunswick
- Distance to airport: ~3 miles
- No airport shuttle
- Free breakfast
La Quinta Inn & Suites by Wyndham Brunswick/Golden Isles
- Distance to airport: ~4 miles
- No airport shuttle
- Free breakfast
Hilton Garden Inn Brunswick
- Distance to airport: ~4 miles
- No airport shuttle
- Breakfast: Cooked-to-order breakfast (typically extra cost).
Home2 Suites by Hilton St. Simons Island
- Distance to airport: ~16 miles
- No airport shuttle
- Free breakfast
What To Do
Near the Airport & Downtown Brunswick (5–10 minutes)
- Reid’s Apothecary: relaxed gastropub with Southern-inspired dishes and craft cocktails.
- Silver Bluff Brewing Company: local brewery with rotating taps, outdoor seating, and live music.
- Tipsy McSway’s: fun downtown spot with burgers, live music, and a local crowd.
- The Farmer & The Larder: locally sourced fare and creative Southern cooking.
- Mary Ross Waterfront Park: river views, shrimp boats, and a great place for a sunset walk.
- Historic Downtown Brunswick: charming streets, local boutiques, and art galleries.
- Hidden gem: Lover’s Oak, a massive 900-year-old oak tree and one of Brunswick’s oldest landmarks.
St. Simons Island (~20 minutes away)
- Southern Soul BBQ: famous for smoked meats and Southern sides.
- Echo at The King and Prince: oceanfront dining with coastal cuisine.
- Mullet Bay: casual seafood spot with patio seating.
- St. Simons Lighthouse Museum: climb the tower for incredible island views.
- Neptune Park: perfect for a stroll or picnic by the water.
- Pier Village: shopping, ice cream, and people-watching by the marina.
- Hidden gem: Cannon’s Point Preserve, a pristine maritime forest with scenic overlooks and hiking trails.
Jekyll Island (~25 minutes away)
- Driftwood Beach: surreal landscape of weathered trees, perfect for photography.
- Jekyll Island Historic District: beautiful historic homes, carriage rides, and museums.
- Georgia Sea Turtle Center: rehabilitation and education center for sea turtles.
- The Wharf: waterfront dining with live music and sunset views.
- Biking Trails: more than 20 miles of paved coastal trails around the island.
- Hidden gem: Shark Tooth Beach, a quiet spot for fossil and shell hunting (check tides)