The Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (CAAP) is delving into innovative solutions to enhance aviation safety, considering the use of trained birds to mitigate the risks posed by unauthorized drones and bird strikes around airports. This was revealed during a Senate Committee on Public Services hearing, where CAAP’s Aerialworks Certification and Inspection Division head, Capt. Ian Michael del Castillo, outlined the agency’s commitment to securing Philippine airspace. Although CAAP lacks expertise in this area, del Castillo expressed openness to exploring this novel approach, inspired by successful implementations in countries like Ireland, France, and the Netherlands. These trained birds could not only neutralize rogue drones but also help in deterring other birds from causing hazardous strikes near airports. The discussion also touched on broader public safety concerns, including the regulation of drone ownership and the threats posed by dangling utility wires. Senator Raffy Tulfo, chairing the committee, raised alarms about the vulnerability of the nation’s airports and military bases to drone attacks, referencing the use of drones in the Russian-Ukraine conflict. Del Castillo admitted that current anti-drone technologies are prohibitively expensive, with subscription services costing up to USD1 million monthly, but noted that CAAP is actively seeking more affordable solutions as technology evolves. CAAP’s regulations strictly prohibit drone operations within a 10-km radius of airports and above 120 meters, and the agency is working with other government bodies to bolster drone safety measures. Violators of these regulations face fines from PHP20,000 to PHP100,000, and unauthorized commercial drone operations could lead to fines up to PHP100,000 and drone confiscation.
Philippine Aviation Authority Considers Trained Birds to Tackle Drone Threats and Bird Strikes
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