The Scarecrow BIRD Tab system is very effective and easy to use. Airport operational staff can operate with the BIRD Tab system professionally after several weeks of experience -Jan Kadlec , Head of Airfield Operations

Václav Havel Airport Prague is the main international airport of Prague, the capital of Czech Republic It serves around 15 million passengers to over 155 scheduled destinations annually through c148,000 aircraft movements.

We spoke to Jan Kadlec, Head of Airfield Operations, who has worked at the airport for 26 years, about the Scarecrow systems and how they form a part of their overall Wildlife Hazard Management Plan.

Question & Answers

Which of Scarecrow’s products have been used in the past and what is used now?
In past we have used the Scarecrow ULTIMA reporting only software. Now we have the Scarecrow BIRD-Tab reporting and bio-acoustics systems at Vaclav Havel Airport Prague.

How, if any, have changes in legislation in recent years impacted the airport in terms of maintaining safety standards? Has Scarecrow BIRD Tab assisted in any way in terms of improving standards and/or audit outcomes?
There are more and more legislation requirements to airports concerning safety policy. The Scarecrow BIRD Tab reporting system is a very beneficial tool for being in compliance with legislative requirements.

How effective has Scarecrow BIRD Tab been? How easy is it to use? Have you required much training?
The Scarecrow BIRD Tab system is very effective and easy to use. Airport operational staff can operate with the BIRD Tab system professionally after several weeks of experience.

System reliability which is key as part of daily safety practices - How robust is Scarecrow’s equipment? How important is it to have good reliability?
The BIRD Tab system is robust and reliable, where the reliability is the most important feature, because without the BIRD Tab system in operation, there is no reporting and no evidence.

Do you use any other systems in addition to bio-acoustics? Explain why either way.
Yes, we use more than only one method. Alongside bio-acoustics we also use other dispersal methods, like falconry, dogs, rifles, B.S.Cs. and other pyrotechnics, lasers, lures etc. However we can say the bio-acoustics is in the top three of our methods

Integral part of Wildlife Safety Management System -How important is collecting accurate airside safety data? How is that data used? Is a system that provides fully traceable evidence of standards and safety maintenance a priority now? Why?
Yes, definitely! Collecting of accurate airside safety data, especially about an airport bird/wildlife control unit activities is the most important thing!
Why? Because we need evidence in case something happens for audits, for airlines, for authorities, for all.

In the unlikely event of an issue, good support from Scarecrow - Should you need any assistance, how responsive do you find Scarecrow to be?
We have had several issues, of course the system is quite new, but we have to say the Scarecrow support team is very professional and responsive well.