Warsaw Airport Teams Up With Green Lasers to Deter Birds Safely

First, identified linkable resources in order of appearance:
1. FAA (resource: FAA Wildlife Hazard Management) — mentioned several times
2. FAA’s resource page at FAA Wildlife Hazard Management — same resource (only first mention should be linked)
3. USDA and U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service permits for laser-based harassment — needs links to USDA and USFWS permit guidance pages

Now the article with only the allowed government links added (maximum 5), linking only the first mention of each resource name in the body text and preserving all content and formatting exactly otherwise:

(WARSAW) Warsaw Municipal Airport is moving to deploy non-lethal green laser technology to push geese and other migratory birds away from runways after a recent rise in bird strikes that has stirred fresh safety concerns. Airport Manager Nick King said the team has begun purchasing specialized systems and updating wildlife policies while awaiting federal approvals.

As of September 10, 2025, the airport’s updated wildlife hazard materials are with the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA Wildlife Hazard Management) for review, and permit applications are advancing with the USDA and U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service for wildlife harassment using lasers.

Why the change now

A mid-2025 incident in which a crop duster struck several geese during takeoff accelerated a top-to-bottom review of wildlife hazard plans and the search for new tools. The airport’s intent is clear: reduce the risk of future bird strikes in a way that is safer, quieter, and more precise than older methods.

Airport officials say the green laser approach aims to:

• Improve day-to-day operations
• Reduce delays and diversions caused by flocks settling near active areas
• Offer a less disruptive deterrent compared with noisy or lethal methods

How the green lasers work

Wildlife specialists have used green lasers in farm fields, coastal areas, and industrial sites for years. Airports are now applying the same idea to reduce bird strikes.

• Birds see the moving beam as a direct, immediate threat and lift off quickly.
• Effective range for advanced systems: roughly 1,500–2,500 meters, allowing crews to act from a safe distance.
• Typical operator technique:
  1. Aim the beam at the ground about 100 yards from a flock.
  2. Sweep the beam toward the birds using a targeting dot (similar to a rifle scope).
  3. Avoid pointing the beam at people or aircraft.

Field reports and studies in 2025 show strong results. Automated systems—such as the AVIX Autonomic Mark II—have reportedly achieved up to a 90% reduction in bird presence at some sites. Unlike noise-based deterrents, birds do not appear to habituate to the laser over time, and lasers do not harm animals.

“Lasers do not harm animals” — this, together with strong performance claims, has increased interest across the aviation sector.

Safety, controls, and regulatory steps

Warsaw Municipal Airport emphasizes safety and compliance. Devices include built-in protections such as beam controls and lockouts, and procedures are planned to prevent accidental exposure.

The airport has:

• Forwarded wildlife hazard site visit records and updated appendices to federal reviewers
• Begun building detailed staff training plans around the green laser rollout

The FAA has not yet delivered formal feedback on the airport’s submission. For federal guidance, see the FAA’s resource page at FAA Wildlife Hazard Management.

Policy updates, permits, and project coordination

King is coordinating daily with CHA Consulting professionals:

• Mary Kerstein, Project Engineer — handling technical documentation for the FAA
• Simon Davies, Principal Environmental Planner — assisting with wildlife hazard policy updates and the permit track

New procedures will specify:

• How, when, and where green lasers can be used
• Training requirements for operators
• How efforts will be logged for later review

Officials plan to combine lasers with smarter communication among tenants and pilots, encouraging rapid reporting so staff can respond before birds settle.

Implementation steps

The airport’s plan follows a series of steps that mirror federal expectations for airport wildlife work:

1. Document every bird strike and notable sighting in incident logs.
2. File updated wildlife assessments and procedures with the FAA.
3. Secure USDA and U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service permits for laser-based harassment.
4. Purchase aviation-grade equipment and confirm safety features.
5. Train all operators on safe, effective deployment.
6. Start field use alongside continuing habitat checks.
7. Track results and share reports with regulators.

Operational impacts and community benefits

Airport leaders say the principal aim is to lower bird-strike risk without lethal force. Benefits highlighted include:

• Avoiding chemicals and reducing use of loud devices that unsettle nearby communities
• Putting more control in trained staff hands to focus deterrence on departure corridors and landing paths
• Faster, quieter responses that should reduce interruptions during peak migration and busy hours

Industry suppliers (e.g., Bird Control Group, Bird-X) note automated systems can run programmed paths at set times (dawn/dusk) and shift patterns to reduce habituation. Staff can still act manually for unexpected flocks.

Wildlife experts recommend pairing lasers with habitat management, such as:

• Managing standing water
• Controlling long grass that attracts geese
• Maintaining steady monitoring to detect patterns early

Reporting, stakeholders, and coordination

Stakeholders include:

• Airport operations teams — deploy and track deterrents
• Private pilots and based tenants — report bird sightings and file strike reports
• Tenants — manage activities that might attract birds (landscaping, outdoor storage)
• Federal partners — confirm plans, permits, and training meet legal requirements

The airport stresses ongoing communication and coordination as central to updated policies and safer fields.

Environmental considerations

Officials underscore that laser use is:

• Non-lethal
• Avoids fuel-based pyrotechnics and chemicals
• Produces less noise, less smoke, and lower disturbance to non-target wildlife
• Reduces repeated daily chases associated with noise-based tools

If lasers steer birds away before they settle, crews can prevent routine, resource-intensive responses.

Timeline and potential regional impact

Full deployment depends on final FAA feedback and related USDA and U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service permits. Airport staff expect the review process to conclude later this year, followed by a phased rollout that allows training ramp-up and fine-tuning of schedules, light paths, and placements.

If successful, Warsaw’s program could be shared across nearby airports that host crop dusters, business jets, and training flights—facilities often near open fields and water that attract geese. A scalable, non-lethal tool could provide responsive coverage without the heavy footprint of large wildlife programs.

Key takeaways

• The shift reflects a larger change in airport wildlife strategy, adding a quiet, repeatable tool that can be adjusted for day length, weather, and species behavior.
• No single tool eliminates all bird strikes, but the combination of tight procedures, better training, and targeted green lasers aims to reduce risk during takeoff and landing—the most vulnerable phases of flight.
• The airport will keep the public informed as approvals come in and the rollout begins, urging anyone who spots bird activity on or near the airfield to contact administration so crews can act quickly.

For federal context on airport wildlife practices, consult the FAA’s guidance at FAA Wildlife Hazard Management.