How far from the airport should operations personnel monitor bird activity?

• A. 1 mile
• B. 3 miles
• C. 5 miles
• D. 7 miles

Answer: (C)

Monitoring bird activity at a distance of five miles from the airport creates an early warning window that lets staff spot patterns and flocks before they reach the critical approach or departure paths. This lead time allows timely actions—such as dispersal measures, adjustments to operations, or alerts to pilots and ATC—that reduce the risk of bird strikes as aircraft are accelerating on departure or descending for landing. If you go too close, there isn’t enough time to react effectively; if you go too far, the information may be less actionable or resource-intensive to maintain. Five miles provides a practical balance for proactive wildlife hazard management, which is why it’s the recommended distance.