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ArcticMyst Security by Avery

Lasers used AT airports

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Being a new laser owner and doing little research I learned that in Amsterdam (guessing Schiphol) they use lasers to scare birds from runways. What a perfect use for lasers compared to the scare factor the lasers have for pilots and airports in general. Not sure of current worldwide techniques for removing birds other than driving vehicles along runways before take offs and landings. But what a good simple cost effective idea. There are many more small airports and airfields that I wonder how they deal with such dangers.
Interested in feedback and info regarding this idea that as far as I know is not in widespread use.
The lasers that airfields and pilots fear when used responsibly in the right situation has to be cost effective for any airfield.
Comments? :anyone:
 





BowtieGuy

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Jake, take a look at these, they are some bird deterent systems from Jetlasers, one of the best laser companies out there.
If you're looking into buying handheld lasers, give them a good look, their customer service is the best, bar none!
 
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Benm

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Amsterdam airport has some problems with birds indeed, and laser systems are used to disperse them sometimes.

They've been using it for quite some time, and it is effective to some degree. I reckon it depends on the species of bird though. Our airport has problems with geese, which are large enough to damage jet engines if ingested, but apparently startled by laser beams.

This does not work for all birds though, i've found that pigeons don't give a shit about lasers even if you shine them right in the face, no matter the color either, they just do not budge. I guess they would if you crack up the power to the point it burns them, but that seems a bit cruel to try.

Also using lasers to remove geese is not sufficient at amsterdam airport, they are also being shot. This is required anyway since there are so many of them they pose a problem for agriculture as well.
 
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Airports also use a propane cannon that makes a directional acoustic blast to scare away birds and wildlife.

s-l1000.jpg
 
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Radim

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And sometimes other birds - predators - are used. But these are trained and return back if called. Like a flying hunting dog.
 
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And sometimes other birds - predators - are used. But these are trained and return back if called. Like a flying hunting dog.

Jake, take a look at these, they are some bird deterent systems from Jetlasers, one of the best laser companies out there.
If you're looking into buying handheld lasers, give them a good look, their customer service is the best, bar none!

Airports also use a propane cannon that makes a directional acoustic blast to scare away birds and wildlife.

s-l1000.jpg

Amsterdam airport has some problems with birds indeed, and laser systems are used to disperse them sometimes.

They've been using it for quite some time, and it is effective to some degree. I reckon it depends on the species of bird though. Our airport has problems with geese, which are large enough to damage jet engines if ingested, but apparently startled by laser beams.

This does not work for all birds though, i've found that pigeons don't give a shit about lasers even if you shine them right in the face, no matter the color either, they just do not budge. I guess they would if you crack up the power to the point it burns them, but that seems a bit cruel to try.

Also using lasers to remove geese is not sufficient at amsterdam airport, they are also being shot. This is required anyway since there are so many of them they pose a problem for agriculture as well.

Yeah after a little research ive seen some massive $40k bird scaring laser systems. My little pie in the sky idea for offering services at small local airfields seems,now sober, to be quite ridiculous. :D
 
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Benm

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There are various systems used, effective against various species of birds.

I've seen the propane/butane powered acoustic systems in use in agriculture here, but not really on airports. I've worked in places that used those systems, and the 'boom' they produce is quite startling, possible not only to birds, but these days also to passengers boarding planes using steps and such.

Blasting these off around amsterdam airport could possible lead to panic among passengers - most planes are connected by gates here, but there is a fair number of flights where people have to walk outside a bit to board their plane by a staircase, and for smaller jets (like the crj 700 and 900 jets operated on regular routes with little traffic) this is fairly usual since they are not compatible with the gates in any way.

There are also low cost carriers that still operate busses to get to the airplanes at amsterdam, so lots of people that could be scared and run around the tarmac if such an acousting bird deterrent went off.
 

CurtisOliver

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I agree Benm, especially these days. I think I have heard farmers use these and the boom is very loud and startling. Hearing that in a busy airport could cause panic.
 

Benm

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It's a fairly distincive boom indeed. It does not really sound like a bomb going off, more like a shot from a large caliber (atrillery) gun, but it's scaringly loud if you're not used to it in any case.

Given the number of attacks in europe you can expect people to panic at the sound of any explosion, even if it's just a truck tyre rupturing.

So yeah, using laser or trained birds of prey to scare off potential geese and such from hanging around the airports is currently preferable.

It may also be more effective as birds do get used to those boom noises, initially they shit themselves and fly off, but once they figure it doesn't pose any real hazard to them they'll start to ignore it. This does not take very long either, many birds are quite intelligent and learn what is dangerous to them and what is useful within a generation.
 

CurtisOliver

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I think the sound depends on where you are as well. The public scares easily nowadays. As for bird intelligence, then I have to agree. They do learn. I wonder if they get used to the lasers after a while?
 

Radim

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I think the sound depends on where you are as well. The public scares easily nowadays. As for bird intelligence, then I have to agree. They do learn. I wonder if they get used to the lasers after a while?

Birds, yes they do learn. I just hope deers do not as much, otherwise I might have "an antlered problem" in the forest. :D :crackup:
 
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Radim

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Dear deers are special chapter. :D :crackup: I have one joke about that, but it is inappropriate to say it on public. :D :D :D
 
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Lasers on airport ! Since it is hot and we are in June, it's better to put them in a freezer before using them He also has the right to be cool cool! :D
 

Benm

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As for bird intelligence, then I have to agree. They do learn. I wonder if they get used to the lasers after a while?

They could figure out those beams are actually harmless to them, if they are. If they are powerful enough to cause damage to their eyes they'll probaby learn to avoid them, but if not they'll get used to it.

I'm not sure how power dense the actual beams are though. I have only seen a few images of the equipment used, at they look like a DPSS with a decent beam expander behind them, possibly to the point where the beam is so fat it actually is eye-safe for humans - and i presume for birds too.

If this is the case i assume the birds will figure out that this hole disco show poses no harm to them and ignore it. They figured out that sitting on high voltage power lines is not dangerous to them unless getting too close to the towers. Perhaps the best chance is waiting for them to figure out that getting sucked through a jet engine is deadly and they'll just avoid airports ;)
 




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