Airport: This is a technical job. Graduates from Zhejiang University are applying for field services and bird repellent services, which has sparked discussions about bird repellent services. | Staff | Graduates

Recently, Wenzhou Airport Group released a recruitment announcement for the spring of 2023, in which Chen, a graduate of Zhejiang University, applied for the position of venue manager and bird repellent, sparking heated discussions among netizens.

"Alas, the competition is too fierce now." "It's too intense," and "I don't need Zhejiang University, right?" In addition to questioning, many netizens have also expressed that "starting from a low level is not a problem," believing that "this is a job that concerns the safety of passengers. Don't we still need a professional?"

On June 6th, a reporter from Chao News contacted the staff of Wenzhou Airport Group, and the airport replied that this recruitment is a social recruitment. Job seekers submit their application intentions and then participate in the prescribed written and interview tests. The airport will select the best candidates based on their comprehensive scores.

The reporter found that in the recruitment announcement released earlier by Wenzhou Airport Group, the position of "Field Attendant and Bird Drive Officer" requires a bachelor's degree or above, with majors in biology, ecology, zoology and botany, environmental science, civil engineering, and architecture. In addition, with a score of 425 or above in College English Test Band 4, holding a C1 driver's license for at least 2 years, and being able to adapt to shifts and outdoor work.

According to Wenzhou Airport staff, bird repellents belong to professional occupations. "Bird repellent" requires staff to quickly identify which type of bird it is, and take different preventive measures based on their habits, volume, diet, flight altitude, and danger level. "Generally speaking, especially large birds, such as falcons, and those that may appear in groups, such as pigeons, are the focus of attention. In addition, some uncommon birds, because they are not familiar with the airport environment, are prone to accidentally getting on the runway, and need to be prevented." It can be seen that Chen, who was admitted, graduated from Zhejiang University's Animal Science major, can be considered a professional match.

Bird repellent is a technical activity

Many people don't quite understand why airports need to drive away birds? What exactly does a bird repellent do?

In fact, airplanes are very afraid of birds. At present, bird collision with aircraft is one of the important factors threatening aviation safety.

In the eyes of most people, the collision between a "flesh and blood" bird and an airplane is like hitting a stone with an egg, but in reality, this is not the case.

The collision between a high-speed aircraft and a small bird can result in a very high relative velocity, and the enormous impact force can lead to extremely serious consequences. There have been many tragedies in history where bird strikes have caused aircraft damage and human death. Therefore, bird control has become an essential and important task for airports.

New Bird Drive Vehicles at Wenzhou Airport

Bird prevention work mainly focuses on "driving", implementing effective bird strike prevention measures through daily bird patrols and driving, including using radar linked bird repellents, setting up bird nets, spraying bird repellents, gas cannons, bird guns, and other "eighteen martial arts" to scientifically drive birds.

Wenzhou airport staff told reporters that bird repellent is a technical task. For example, sometimes bird repellents also play "sound control", using different sound weapons to loop through more than 90 calls from birds, predators such as eagles and falcons, or beasts to scare them away from the airport. In addition, the sound source needs to be changed once a quarter to prevent birds from adapting to sound weapons.

The bird repellent vehicle is also equipped with infrared night vision bird detection equipment, which can detect birds gathering up to 500 meters away. It is also suitable for foggy days and nights. After finding them, it sends a directional sound wave of 143 decibels, achieving a serious "bird disturbance" effect.

In addition to hearing, visual attention also needs to be paid. The "Terror Eye" device at Wenzhou Airport uses the wind to blow patterns of raptors, providing visual stimulation to birds who accidentally enter.

The different methods of driving away birds are often more effective with half the effort. The upgraded and updated bird repellent methods every year keep birds away. According to data statistics, the number of bird strike reports received at Wenzhou Airport last year decreased by 33% compared to 2021.

Driving away birds is actually very difficult

Summer is the season when birds are most likely to appear, and it is also the busiest time for bird hunters.

Wenzhou airport staff introduced that airport staff braved high temperatures to "grill" and meticulously cared for the two runways 24/7, with high-temperature bird repellent being a mandatory course.

During the day, it is hot and scorching, with dazzling sunlight. After being exposed to the scorching sun, the ground temperature of the apron can reach around 60 ℃. Especially in July and August, bird repellents patrol the runway under the scorching sun, closely monitoring the takeoff and landing dynamics of flights, racing against time, and frequently entering and exiting the runway to drive away birds.

Wenzhou Airport Map Supply

At night, the bird repellent also needs to overcome fatigue and constantly observe nocturnal birds in the air, as well as birds and small animals living in the grassland.

They need to constantly patrol during the bird repellent process. However, the airport is spacious, and in strong wind conditions, towels, water bottles, and other items can easily be blown onto the runway, posing a threat to aircraft taking off and landing. Therefore, bird repellents cannot use these heatstroke prevention equipment during work hours.

Wenzhou Airport also stated that in order to improve the professional skills of bird repellents, the airport management department will regularly organize training courses, including knowledge on bird ecology, bird repellent techniques, and crisis response. Through continuous learning and practice, bird repellents can improve their work level and better fulfill their responsibilities.