10-May-2016 Source: HAI
HAI has submitted its application to serve on a newly formed FAA working group to enhance helicopter bird strike protection. The FAA recently announced the formation of the working group, which will provide advice and recommendations to the aviation rulemaking advisory committee (ARAC).
According to the FAA’s announcement in the Federal Register, data shows that an increase in the bird population and weight has resulted in an increase in frequency of bird strikes in both normal and transport category rotorcraft. As of last year, normal category rotorcraft made up some 90 percent of the U.S. fleet, but no bird protection certification standard exists for the normal (Part 27) category.
The FAA expects the ARAC to submit its recommendations by late 2017.