A Comparison of Airport Risks: Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) Sightings, Wildlife Strikes, and Runway Incursions

To provide a context for the potential threat of unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) sightings on airport operations, this paper compares characteristics UAS with two common threats: wildlife strikes and runway incursions. This study analyzed over 60,000 events in three-year period (September 2016 to August 2019), including 6,551 from Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Sightings Report database, 47,574 FAA Wildlife Strike 6,041 incursions Runway Safety database. The results suggest both similarities differences among threats. Both vary by time year day. farther occur at higher altitudes than occurring close airport. However, are reported strikes, distance is that general. severities similar. Pilots take evasive actions three percent sightings, severity A B also rare. general aviation (GA) most GA operations involved more Considering kind affected, primary airports, notably large medium hub whereas reliever airports. Generally, have had minimal impact despite their growing prevalence, which reflects overall success integrating new airspace user into national system.