Flying into Stromboli ash cloud

[pattern_is_full]

I would note that turboprops can be fitted with an inertial separator in the engine intake duct, that removes "heavier-than-air" debris (hail, ice, dust, snow, rain) from the inlet air. Common in the PT6, may be an option in the PW100 series (as on those Canadair 415s).

The duct has a sharp bend and a deflection vane, and air can follow the bend into the engine, but heavier material can't make the sharp turn and is expelled out the back by its mass.

https://aviation.stackexchange.com/q...eflectors-work

I'd also expect that pilots on the spot and directly overhead have a much better view of which "smoke" plume comes from which source, compared to someone with a telephoto lens compressing distance over several miles/kms. This over here is burning vegetation, that over there is venting rock dust.