ASH and ATC clearances?

[gilbertmchris]

I am a pilot experiencing another Volcano Day Off and was wondering what the ATC perspective is?

Our Ops manual states that we can fly day VFR in areas of forecast volcanic ash and as far as I am aware the no-fly restrictions are just concerning IFR clearances?

Are airports closed due to the forecast possibility of ash or is it just the closure of the adjacent airspace that means the airport is unusable?

If I were for example to request SVFR departure clearance now from Gatwick would ATC be able to issue this and would the computer in Brussels allow a flight plan route to be accepted under these flight rules? obviously now avoiding airways whilst in (below) the no fly zone.

Cheers, just drank too much coffee to get back to sleep now...

Chris

[twentypoint4]

Would it not either have to be at night or the met conditions precluding VMC to obtain the SVFR clearance in class D? You couldnt just ask for SVFR for the purpose of being seperated from others, right?

Anywhoo, im sure someone said on here that the withholding of IFR clearances (for ash purposes) for some reason encompasses SVFR clearances as well? Is that correct?

[The Fat Controller]

Just to add a couple of points I found out today at Prestwick Centre.

In the areas of HIGH ash concentration outside CAS, we will only be providing an alerting service.

At the NATS airfields, no CLEARANCES will be issued to VFR, SVFR or IFR traffic if the airfield in the HIGH concentration zone.

So even though you can fly to the TMA/CTA/ATZ boundary you will not be getting in.

No clearance to depart will be given under ANY flight rules.

Edit - As I work for NATS I could ONLY comment on what I was told at work.

However, there does seem to be a slight confusion as to whether we take reporting action on aircraft that are flying in the area that is notified as high concentration by NOTAM.

There were certainly a few in there this morning.

[Satcop]

It's not just NATS airfields, we were told by our ATS Inspector that the No Fly Zone meant just that - nothing in or out regardless of flight rules or type flight. Service to be provided to any traffic calling that was within the NFZ and reporting action to be taken.

[fisbangwollop]

Just out today from the CAA, so now we all know what service we can provide :cool::cool::cool:

http://www.caa.co.uk/docs/33/ATSIN0184.pdf

[ZOOKER]

It's interesting to note that while this volcanic chaos has been going on, Ian, the NATS 'environment man', (and official CO2-meister), has, (unlike the volcano), been unusually quiet.
In fact, checking the NATS UK website, he seems to have disappeared off the radar completely!
- Request news.

[ToweringCu]

Piston engined aircraft and non-powered aircraft can fly VFR in No-fly zones. The following is from the CAA:

5.2 ATC and FIS Providers should not offer a service within a NFZ
unless the pilot is operating under VFR and the aircraft is a glider, balloon
or piston powered aircraft and not operating for the purpose of public
transport.1 This restriction does not apply to operational emergency
services flights (e.g. Air Ambulance).
ATC and FIS Providers may also provide a service to an aircraft in the
above categories within controlled airspace that is:
• operating under VFR within Class D airspace;
• operating under Special VFR in other controlled airspace provided
that it is the only aircraft in that airspace block