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An FAA regulation grounded a flight of whooping cranes heading south
The cranes, on their first migration, were being guided by an ultralight aircraft
Paying the aircraft's pilot put the flight in violation of the regulation
A flock of whooping cranes, grounded for nearly a month, can continue its journey south for the winter after getting a one-time exemption Tuesday from a federal agency.
Back in December, in Franklin County, Alabama – approximately 693 miles into a 1,285-mile journey from Wisconsin to Florida – the flight of the nine endangered birds was halted and they were put in a pen until further notice.
The issue at hand was a Federal Aviation Administration regulation that forbids paying pilots who fly the small ultralight aircraft used to guide the birds. Specifically, "sport pilot aircraft" cannot be used for commercial purposes, and when the pilots are compensated that makes it commercial, according to FAA spokesman Lynn Lunsford.
Joe Duff, co-founder and CEO of Operation Migration, the group leading the crane effort, says its pilots are full-time employees who get compensated for working with the birds seven days a week – working on many different job responsibilities – and that the flying is done on a volunteer basis.
The FAA first accepted the explanation, but after further review decided that the organization was not meeting the requirements. Operation Migration decided to voluntarily ground the rare birds at that time, in the middle of their journey, until they were able to legally continue the flight.
Operation Migration is an organization that assists whooping cranes hatched in captivity, from their first steps through their first migratory trip south. To help the whooping cranes become true wild animals when they start to live on their own, the organization practices "isolation rearing," in which all people who come into contact with the birds must wear a costume that looks like a whooping crane.
In this case, both the pilot and the plane are outfitted to look like the endangered bird.
Noting that the flock was stuck in an incorrect location for the past month, the FAA Tuesday green-lighted Operation Migration to continue the journey to the St. Marks and Chassahowitzka national wildlife refuges in Florida.
According to an FAA statement, "Because the operation is in ‘mid-migration,’ the FAA is granting a one-time exemption so the migration can be completed. The FAA will work with Operation Migration to develop a more comprehensive, long-term solution."
Duff said the FAA has two criteria for issuing a waiver of this regulation: first, that it does not impede safety; and second, that it is a benefit to the American people. Duff believes Operation Migration’s flights meet both criteria, noting their three pilots practice all safety measures and the organization is assisting with the eco-tourism business and reintroducing an endangered species, which he believes does benefit the American people.
The FAA and Operation Migration will work to resolve the situation in the near future, but for now, this year’s new flock continues the journey south for the winter.