Sunstate/Qantaslink Pulselite® Trials 2002-2003
The use of the Pulselites® on the DHC8-300 fleet indicates that activation of pulsing lights in accordance with company standard operating procedures resulted in a reduction of wildlife strikes by approximately 50%.
The fleet was averaging approximately 3.65 strikes/aircraft/year prior to the evaluation and approximately 1.83 strikes/aircraft/year with Pulselites®. The results were so impressive the airline purchased the Pulselite® system for the entire DHC-8 fleet. (Prepared for Sunstate Airlines/QantasLink by Peter Reardon Enterprises Pty Limited).
Qantas 737 Pulselite® Trials 2005-2007
Qantas Success Stories
An averaged B737 bird strike reduction rate between approximately -10% and -35% with a pulsed or modulated light system operational has the ongoing potential to save a 100 aircraft Airlines approximately $2.5 to $8.9 million per year respectively. (Pulselite® system B737 Operational Evaluation by Qantas Airlines)
Their business case was based on the early results and funded the purchase for the remainder of the B737 fleets BEFORE the evaluation period was completed (confident and satisfied with the product and wildlife reduction rates).
- 5 B737-400 aircraft
- 5 B737-800 aircraft
B737-800 Group Results
Achieved a 66% (day and night) bird strike reduction rate per 1,000 departures, compared to a non-Pulselite® equipped B737-800 group.
Daylight only bird strike reduction rate was 49%.
B737-400 Group Results
Achieved a 54% (day and night) bird strike reduction rate per 1,000 departures, compared to a non-Pulselite® equipped B737-400 group.
Daylight only bird strike reduction rate was 30%.
Alaska Airlines and Horizon Air 2008-2010
Alaska Air Group is committed to the Pulselite system to decrease the incidence of bird strikes and to increase air-to-air conspicuity for other aircraft and ATC.
Alaska Airlines
Alaska commenced a fleet-wide fitment of Pulselite on their Boeing 737 series aircraft in 2010. The system was endorsed by their safety, maintenance & engineering groups, and the senior pilot corps. The cost analysis they performed exceeded their internal criteria warranting fleet-wide implementation. With a business case based on known operating/damage costs and a conservative 25 – 30% bird strike reduction proved by Qantas, Horizon, and USDA research, they successfully demonstrated to management the justification (a less than a 2 year ROI) for installing the system.
Horizon Air
Horizon initiated a fleet-wide fitment program on their Bombardier Q400 aircraft in 2008.
