Federal Aviation Administration (FAA)
FAA: Airport Foreign Object Debris (FOD) Management
Advisory Circular (AC) 150/5210-24A provides guidance for developing and managing an airport FOD program, including specifications for FOD removal equipment. Updated February 2024.
FAA: Foreign Object Debris Detection Equipment
Advisory Circular (AC) 150/5220-24 provides guidance for procuring FOD detection equipment.
FAA: Reporting Wildlife Aircraft Strikes
Advisory Circular (AC) 150/5200-32 discusses the importance of reporting bird and animal strikes on aircraft and how to use the agency’s strike reporting system.
FAA: Hazardous Wildlife Attractants
Advisory Circular (AC) 150/5200-33 provides guidance for land uses near airports and for airport development projects regarding their potential for attracting wildlife.
FAA: Qualifications for Wildlife Biologist
Advisory Circular (AC) 150/5200-36 describes professional qualifications for biologists who conduct wildlife hazard assessments at Part 139 airports and at non-certificated airports funded by the Airport Improvement or Passenger Facility Charge programs.
International Aviation Standards
EASA: Easy Access Rules for Aerodromes (ADR.OPS.B.016)
The European Union Aviation Safety Agency’s aerodrome regulations include ADR.OPS.B.016, which requires all EASA-certified aerodromes to implement a formal FOD control programme covering inspection, removal, training, and documentation.
ICAO: Airport Services Manual, Doc 9137 — Part 2: Pavement Surface Conditions
The International Civil Aviation Organization’s guidance on detecting, reporting, and removing contaminants and debris from airport movement areas. Covers friction measurement, surface inspection, and FOD prevention through pavement management.
Military Aviation
United States Air Force FOD Prevention Program (DAFI 21-101)
The Department of the Air Force Instruction (DAFI) 21-101, Aircraft and Equipment Maintenance Management, Chapter 11.8 covers the USAF’s Foreign Object Damage Prevention Program — one of the most comprehensive FOD programs in the world. Search “21-101” on the AF e-Publishing site.
Space Debris & LEO
NASA Orbital Debris Program Office
NASA’s lead center for orbital debris research, environment modeling, measurement, and mitigation policy at Johnson Space Center. Publishes the Orbital Debris Quarterly News and maintains debris tracking models used worldwide.
ESA Space Debris Office
The European Space Agency’s Space Debris Office at ESOC monitors the orbital environment, develops mitigation guidelines, and coordinates international space debris policy — including collision avoidance for ESA missions.
Nonprofit & Industry Associations
Flight Safety Foundation
An independent, nonprofit, nonpolitical international organization dedicated to aviation safety.
Maintenance And Ramp Safety Society (MARSS)
A non-profit society dedicated to reducing aviation human error, MARSS offers training courses, posters, and resources to help you stay safe on the operations ramp and in the maintenance shop.
Corporate Resources
The FOD Control Corporation
FOD Mitigation experts, and the manufacturer of the FOD-Razor® friction sweeper and TracSweep® debris removal systems. FOD Control provides equipment and consulting for foreign object debris prevention programs worldwide.
Boeing: FOD Reduction
Boeing’s current resources on foreign object debris reduction at airports, including best practices for FOD prevention programs.
Machida Boroscopes
Precision boroscopes for detecting and assessing Foreign Object Damage in engines and airframes.
Crew Resource Management and Human Factors Training
Safety courses offered for flight crews, flight attendants, dispatchers, maintenance personnel, or anyone else acting in a support capacity in flight operations.