Regional Affairs

AOPA is working to protect pilots using Aurora Municipal Airport (ARR), located southwest of Chicago, from bird strikes. The Army Corps of Engineers is considering a proposal to build a subdivision and golf course near the airport. But that would also create some 25 acres of ponds and 6 acres of wetlands right next to ARR. And that will attract waterfowl into the same airspace used by Skyhawks, Warriors, and Citations.

"There's no evidence that the Army Corps of Engineers has considered FAA guidance on residential development near airports," said Bill Dunn, AOPA vice president of airports, "nor have they looked at the safety considerations of attracting birds to the airport environment."

AOPA has asked for a public hearing on the project.