This email is in response to Matt Johnson’s article, “Playing Defense At Non-Towered Airports,” in the September 2023 issue. I am the airport manager for the Winchester Regional Airport (KOKV) referenced in the article.
We share Mr. Johnson’s concerns and fears regarding wildlife strikes. Managing ground-based threats is a role that airports fulfill in the risk management of the total aviation system, and deer are among the most hazardous wildlife species to aircraft operations. Because of this, OKV has contracted with the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Animal and Plant Inspection Service (APHIS) since 2021 for wildlife management services, including the permitted depredation of deer. While efforts to mitigate wildlife risks are continuous, I am happy to report that OKV has essentially eradicated its deer population and significantly enhanced the safety of our facility.
We hope the testimony in your magazine encourages pilots to increase their situational awareness to wildlife threats, especially at night. I also encourage pilots to study the Chart Supplement for clues in the remarks section that wildlife hazards may be present (e.g., “Deer on and invof arpt”). Thanks to Mr. Johnson for highlighting this important topic, and thanks to the airport operators big and small who work tirelessly to minimize the likelihood of a damaging strike.
Nicholas Sabo, A.A.E. – Winchester, Va.
Thanks for your response, Nick. We have long experience with OKV and other nearby airports after living in and around the area for some 30 years. Yours is one of the nicer facilities in Northern Virginia, which makes it highly desirable for us and other operators. In hindsight, we didn’t mean to pick on your airport, but it is one with which Matt was familiar. That, your proactive approach to wildlife concerns and your follow-up to the article say a great deal. Thanks again!
Close Go-Around?
Greetings! Given the recent reporting on U.S runway incursions, I am not sure if this is newsworthy or not, but just in case…. While driving home past KDCA recently, I saw a Southwest 737 go around, seemingly from a very low altitude. According to FlightAware, it looks like the go-around initiated at 550 feet, but the altitude and distance from the runway sure looked closer to me in person.
When I got home, I listened to the KDCA tower archive on LiveATC.net and I now know that the go around was ordered by the tower controller after the tower cleared a different flight for an immediate takeoff while Southwest was on a two-mile final. Since my view of the runway itself was obstructed by the trees along George Washington Parkway, I can’t say exactly what happened, but I do suspect that the departing flight may not have cleared the runway in time. Again, I’m not sure if this is newsworthy or not, and will leave that up to you. Thank you!
Name unavailable – Via website
Thanks for sharing your observation. We think it’s important for everyone—pilots and the general public alike—to understand that a go-around is a completely normal maneuver at any airport. Pilots train for them and we are expected to execute a go-around whenever the situation demands. In this case, it would appear the departing traffic was rather leisurely with its takeoff procedures and the local controllers made the correct decision to err on the side of safety instead of airport acceptance rates.
Thanks again!
Flight Service
Thanks for highlighting the resources offered by the FAA’s Flight Service in Jim Wolper’s articles on going beyond our EFB’s preflight briefings. Although the automation and communication revolutions have hollowed out the network of FSSes over the years, it’s important to remember the service is still here and available 24/7. While the opportunity to obtain a face-to-face briefing seems to have disappeared, professional aviation weather interpretations are only a phone call away. And everyone has a phone these days.
Mike Harper – Via email
