Icelandic Ash Cloud
 

With all the ATC closures due to this ash cloud, how is it affecting SAR cover ?

And what about QRA? Will Ivan stay at home?

Just seen on BBC television, that as of 12.00hrs, all British airspace is closed to inbound and outbound commercial flights until at least 18.00hrs today.:confused:

According to Sky News at 1020 BST, RAF SAR flights will continue to operate.

Hopefully they will scramble en masse, fly through the volcanic ash, wrecking the engines and grounding their fleet in the process! ;)

;)

From BBC News on-line.

Haven't you heard? They have no plans to invade. Welcome to the post-Cold War world.

(Yes, I know, Russian Bears. Zzzz)

From Army to RAF to RN in 4 sentences...... :ugh::ugh:

The Independent: Army helicopter flies patient from Scotland

A critically ill patient had to be flown from Scotland to London by military helicopter today after volcanic ash grounded most planes in the UK.

Only an RAF Sea King helicopter was suitable to make the journey after the volcano exploding in Iceland led to restrictions being imposed on UK airspace.

The female patient was taken by ambulance from hospital in Dunfermline, Fife, to HMS Gannet at Prestwick. From there a Royal Navy Sea King helicopter flew her to London, landing in Regent's Park at around 9am. An ambulance then took her to University College Hospital.

The incident was organised by the Aeronautical Rescue Coordination Centre (ARCC) at RAF Kinloss which was asked to help at 3.13am.

An RAF spokesman said: "The ARCC would not usually task a helicopter from Scotland so far south but due to the air traffic control (ATC) restrictions caused by volcanic ash from an erupting volcano in Iceland there were no civilian aircraft or military fixed wings options available. If we had not taken this patient by helicopter then the only other option was a road ambulance."

The Scottish Ambulance Service said it took a female patient from Queen Margaret Hospital in Dunfermline to Prestwick for transfer to London.

Flights were grinding to a halt today as ash from Iceland's volcanic eruption moved into UK airspace. Airports faced massive disruption with flights in and out of all Scottish airports suspended, and those further south shutting or suspending flights during the day. The ash cloud is damaging to aircraft due to its abrasive effect on jet engines.

The RAF said it would continue to provide full search and rescue cover but would restrict that to operational flights only, and would consider each request for assistance on a case by case basis.

Day off for Boulmer then!

Is this ash cloud affecting military low level flying? I was under the impression that this cloud was quite high up?

Look at the red line on the charts in the link, and you will see there is a risk down to lower levels.

http://www.metoffice.gov.uk/aviation...1271331761.png

Met Office: Volcanic Ash Advisory Centres

One bonus - at least it's knocked the flipping election off the top of the news schedules. :ok: I feared only a major air disaster or terrorist attack would do that.

All around the country, mil aircraft are being wheeled into hangars to protect them whilst the sun shines brightly in the sky!!!

If it is safe to fly on SAROPs, it is safe to fly on training. If it is not safe to fly because of the ash then it is not accpetable to do SAROPS either.

Some classic military decision making today:ugh:

Duty of care and acute risk aversion perhaps? :D

Early POETS perhaps?:)

and the RN ..... and the AAC :ugh:

Rock34 wrote

Harriers went through the Mach Loop, in Wales around 11 o'clock.

TJ

Irish Coastguard S-61 has been flying around here ,Newtownards, for the last hour or so.

Despite the order from HQ Air to ground all but CAT A, CAT B and QRA flights from 1200Z, RAF Odiham and RAF Benson were still flying at 4pm, as was RAF Northolt.

understand the isles of scilly skybus service was still running and lots of puddle jumpers still flying around in the afternoon - perhaps then it is on comair above 10000' that's grounded?

It didn't seem to bother the Chinook flying over Basingstoke about one o'clock, but then again, they've got EAPS. ;)