I read a lot of hysteria about the volcanic activity and it's outfall - this Forum is generally matter of fact and logical - suit me! with the odd spattering of trolls - where hasn't.
The current situation seems to have caught the airborne fraternity off guard - primarily due to the distinct lack of applicable information!
Met office can tell what's floating around in the atmosphere - debates on the accuracy are just that! we've had very little reason to delve deeper and pick out individual substances.
The engine and frame manufacturers have limited info on damage limitations and mitigations to counter adverse impact.
Operators are working to the letter supplied by the manufacturers.
Ok! my point is that we (Goverment, Military & Commercial Carriers) need to use this period of 'low activity' to collect info on the respective ash concentrations and compound effect on airframes.
The current activity is relatively minor, however has had a profound effect on our ability to maintain air travel around and to & from the UK, if as the volcanologists predict 'prolonged activity may set off Katla' this would effectively stut down operations from the UK for months and years, as opposed to days.
In collecting samples, and determining damage, would it not be possible to utilise a platform with two turbine engines and two Internal Combustion engines - the level of damage to the turbines could be monitored after each flight and then set updated maintenance levels for flying in a similar environment. The two Internal combustion engines with decent air filters would ensure that the airframe could maintain flight throughout the assessment.
Thanks!