One time exemption allows migration to resume.
Conservationists have been using ultra light planes to guide endangered Whopping cranes on their migration routes between Michigan and Florida. The birds, raised in captivity, needed to be shown the migration route. The planes led the birds along the migration route . Once the birds flew the 1200 mile route following the plane’s lead they are able to find it again themselves for future migrations.
Due to a change in FAA rules that reclassified the ultralight planes as light sport aircraft, the planes could no longer be used for this purpose. See New York Times Legal Problem Grounds a Bird
The New York Times reports today that the FAA has granted an exemption that will allow the planes to guide the cranes this year. The F.A.A. and Operation Migration, who supports the project, will be working on a long-term solution.
Read more in the New York Times Crane Migration Can Resume, F.A.A. Rules
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By: Northern Wheatears’ Record Migrations « Natural History Wanderings on February 16, 2012
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