The FAA has passed a new series of guidelines that should help decrease avian deaths and cut costs simultaneously. This come as a change to the communication tower lighting standards that it has enacted. These changes could prevent the deaths of thousands of birds. The new changes include:
Lighting Configurations
The tower lighting that has been used to help pilots avoid structures has been having a negative effect on birds. This is because the lighting configurations on these structures use a variety of different types of lighting, including nonflashing red tower lights. This is only a problem because recent research concluded that many birds that are migrating have a hard time dealing with these lighting sources. They are drawn toward the light and often collide with the structure.
Important Changes
The research that was completed was presented by a number of different organizations to the FAA, with a request to change its lighting standards. The new configurations that they came up with feature flashing lights instead of the non-flashing options. After testing the new flashing lights, the FAA found that they were acceptable for keeping pilots safe while flying. The FAA successfully updated its obstruction marking and lighting standards helping keep pilots safe while limiting migrating bird fatalities issuing an update which can be seen here. In January of 2017 the FAA issued a document Opportunities to Reduce Bird Collisions with Communications Towers While Reducing Tower Lighting Costs which provides information on this process.
To speak with a tower lighting company about your needs, contact LumenServe today.
