Author Archives: Staff Writers

Best Practices for Reporting FOD Incidents

By promptly reporting FOD incidents, airport personnel can take proactive measures to prevent accidents and [...]

Tool Room Assessment Check List

I can usually assess the health of an entire tool room by poking around for an hour. Through experience, I’ve learned to run through a simple tool control checklist as I look for the following items: 1. Documentation Suggested Resources… Read the rest

The Importance of FOD Signs

It is essential to any FOD program that the working environment be properly segmented and clearly marked according to FOD sensitivity. When in place, designated FOD area signs enable workers and visitors to properly identify the level of caution that… Read the rest

Wildlife: Airport Management’s Responsibility

Generally, the airport operator bears the greatest responsibility for the management of airport wildlife hazards. Over 80% of bird strikes, and certainly most — if not all — mammal strikes, occur within the airport environment. Airport operators can be held… Read the rest

FOD Training for New Employees

For many workers foreign object debris training means nap time; a boring video in a darkened room administered by a bored training representative who has no real contact with FOD. It doesn’t have to be that way and can’t be… Read the rest

The Importance of Data for FOD Analysis

Accurate FOD Data + Thorough Analysis + Effective Action = Fewer FOD Incidents Wherever aerospace products are manufactured or flown, a philosophy and culture of FOD Prevention spanning the entire operation is vital to assure product integrity, reliability, and cost… Read the rest

The Hidden Cost Of FOD

How much does FOD cost the aerospace industry? During my two-year tour at Pyestock, I studied in detail the number of engines rejected for FOD in the Royal Air Force, the number of engine modules damaged, and the estimated cost.… Read the rest

Monitoring in a FOD Environment

Wherever aerospace products are manufactured or flown, a philosophy and culture of FOD Prevention spanning the entire operation is vital to assure product integrity, reliability, and cost savings. Implementing a strategy to minimize FOD incidents takes time and effort as… Read the rest

Pilot Checklist to Prevent Wildlife Strikes

Air operators provide the support and infrastructure that ensures their pilots’ ability to conduct safe aircraft operations and prevent wildlife strikes. With respect to wildlife foreign object debris/damage, air operators can provide standard operating procedures, employee training and awareness programs,… Read the rest

Managing Wildlife for Airport Operators

Managing wildlife FOD is particularly important to airfield wildlife control operators since the greatest number of wildlife collisions occur within the vicinity of the airport. The courts have also determined that the airport operator is responsible for operating a safe,… Read the rest