Volcanic ash cloud and Private / VFR flying (merged)
Join Date: Feb 2007
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On a more serious note...
I was trawling through my usual (official and unofficial) sources of pre-flight information, including the EAD (Eurocontrol) site, homebriefing.nl, met'map, wetterzentrale.de and the official Dutch Met pages (KNMI - Koninklijk Nederlands Meteorologisch Instituut) and I found no trace whatsoever of the SIGMET reports in which this little event is described. Even a Google search for SIGMET BIRK or SIGMET EHAA gave surprisingly little information (though enough to understand what's going on).
So I'm a bit worried that my normal pre-flight routine would not have picked up this event. Until the NOTAMs start appearing that airports are closed, or until the METARS/TAFs start reporting VA.
So what's the "official" source for sigmet information that you use? Would your routine have picked this up, and if so, how/where?
I was trawling through my usual (official and unofficial) sources of pre-flight information, including the EAD (Eurocontrol) site, homebriefing.nl, met'map, wetterzentrale.de and the official Dutch Met pages (KNMI - Koninklijk Nederlands Meteorologisch Instituut) and I found no trace whatsoever of the SIGMET reports in which this little event is described. Even a Google search for SIGMET BIRK or SIGMET EHAA gave surprisingly little information (though enough to understand what's going on).
So I'm a bit worried that my normal pre-flight routine would not have picked up this event. Until the NOTAMs start appearing that airports are closed, or until the METARS/TAFs start reporting VA.
So what's the "official" source for sigmet information that you use? Would your routine have picked this up, and if so, how/where?
Join Date: Dec 2004
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So what's the "official" source for sigmet information that you use?
It's showing on the AIS website under Notam searches (presumably one has to always tick the "ASHTAM" box).
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I recall reading recently of some unsettled accounts between countries of the EU/UK, and Iceland.
Hey there, I think Iceland has your airspace closed, I suggest you settle the accounts to their satisfaction as quick as you can!
Hey there, I think Iceland has your airspace closed, I suggest you settle the accounts to their satisfaction as quick as you can!
Join Date: Jun 2003
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What is most notable about this is that nobody seems to actually know anything about the impact (if any) on low level GA, e.g. below FL100 or FL200.
The NOTAM put out by NATS is pure ar*se covering material.
If this stuff (which is quite invisible right now, at low levels) is capable of stripping paint off, what is it going to do to one's lungs?
To me, it seems there is NO danger whatsoever at VFR-GA levels.
The NOTAM put out by NATS is pure ar*se covering material.
If this stuff (which is quite invisible right now, at low levels) is capable of stripping paint off, what is it going to do to one's lungs?
To me, it seems there is NO danger whatsoever at VFR-GA levels.
Join Date: Apr 2004
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so can you fly vfr at low level still?
I am meant to be moving my plane tomorrow for some engineering work but I m not sure if I should go to the airport tomorrow?
I am meant to be moving my plane tomorrow for some engineering work but I m not sure if I should go to the airport tomorrow?
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Join Date: Jan 2004
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Buisness for me as usual at Scottish Info this afternoon, every man and his dog out....about the only one in the ops room talking to aircraft!! 
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I'm in the same case as you guys. Don't know anything. Nothing about GA on metoffice, nothing on NATS... I was planning a local tonight, I prefer to postpone it... Dont know what those ashes exactly do to our cylinders, don't know if the air filter stop that crap efficiently enough and I don't want to discover it in flight.
Barton info says VFR OPR SHOULD EXERCISE EXTREME CAUTIONO AND MUST ASSURE THEMSELVES THAT THEIR INTENDED FLIGHT CAN BE CONDUCTED IN A SAFE MANNER.
Suspect they dont know much more we do!
"In a safe manner" LOL.
Barton info says VFR OPR SHOULD EXERCISE EXTREME CAUTIONO AND MUST ASSURE THEMSELVES THAT THEIR INTENDED FLIGHT CAN BE CONDUCTED IN A SAFE MANNER.
Suspect they dont know much more we do!
"In a safe manner" LOL.
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If you check out NATS | AIS - Home
You will get the Notams no problem...latest here....
) EGXX/QAFXX/IV/NBO/E/000/999/5441N00219W999
B) FROM: 10/04/15 12:00C) TO: 10/04/15 17:59
E) A VOLCANIC ASH CLOUD, ORIGINATING IN ICELAND, IS HAVING A
MAJOR IMPACT AFFECTING UK AIRSPACE. UK AREA AFFECTED:
610000N 0100000W 610000N 0000000W 600000N 0000000W
570000N 0050000E 550000N 0050000E 503039N 0013824E
493000N 0041900W 493957N 0080000W 510000N 0080000W
522000N 0053000W 535324N 0053000W 553600N 0020800W
574700N 0015500W 604402N 0100000W 610000N 0100000W
SFC/UNL
OPR SHOULD REFER TO VA ADVISORY 20100415/0600 FOR FURTHER INFO.
IN ACCORDANCE WITH ICAO VOLCANIC ASH CONTINGENCY PLAN,
NO IFR CLEARANCE WILL BE ISSUED FOR PENETRATION OF THE FORECAST
CONTAMINATED AREA THAT LIES WITHIN UK AIRSPACE. B0693/10
You will get the Notams no problem...latest here....
) EGXX/QAFXX/IV/NBO/E/000/999/5441N00219W999
B) FROM: 10/04/15 12:00C) TO: 10/04/15 17:59
E) A VOLCANIC ASH CLOUD, ORIGINATING IN ICELAND, IS HAVING A
MAJOR IMPACT AFFECTING UK AIRSPACE. UK AREA AFFECTED:
610000N 0100000W 610000N 0000000W 600000N 0000000W
570000N 0050000E 550000N 0050000E 503039N 0013824E
493000N 0041900W 493957N 0080000W 510000N 0080000W
522000N 0053000W 535324N 0053000W 553600N 0020800W
574700N 0015500W 604402N 0100000W 610000N 0100000W
SFC/UNL
OPR SHOULD REFER TO VA ADVISORY 20100415/0600 FOR FURTHER INFO.
IN ACCORDANCE WITH ICAO VOLCANIC ASH CONTINGENCY PLAN,
NO IFR CLEARANCE WILL BE ISSUED FOR PENETRATION OF THE FORECAST
CONTAMINATED AREA THAT LIES WITHIN UK AIRSPACE. B0693/10
Join Date: Nov 2006
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fisbangwallop: Are there any VFR restrictions in place in the Scottish FIR?
IOM airspace is NOTAM'd as restricted for all traffic now. Frustratingly, it's clear blue skies and sunshine all round.
-j34-
IOM airspace is NOTAM'd as restricted for all traffic now. Frustratingly, it's clear blue skies and sunshine all round.
-j34-
Join Date: Sep 2003
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The ash in the upper atmosphere, the chances of it even appearing at puddle jumper altitudes is negligible. Reading some of the posts on here you would think doomsday was coming.
I am off to take the Auster for a bimble.
I am off to take the Auster for a bimble.
Join Date: Dec 2005
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Plenty VFR stuff flying here in Scotland today. Weather is glorious, blue skies and light winds. Sitting in my back garden just now enjoying the sunshine after my roster today was cancelled.
And there go's a pa28 overhead as i type.
And there go's a pa28 overhead as i type.
Join Date: Sep 2005
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ashes to ashes
The last time the little devil went into action it lasted 200 years! Maybe we can defer the annuals. Bit like Mad Cow disease, the latest flu epidemic etc etc. Major panic, this time over something that is and has been occuring throughout the world since time began. Reason its over UK its running along in a fast jet stream at very high levels, unlikely to stop off to cause those at low levels any problems.However we live in a dont do this or that world and many have never seen the days when we could and did operate with a minimum of big brother dictates. Go fly and enjoy!
UK Airspace closed to Special VFR. Why?
Maybe I'm being thick but I cannot see the reason for closing all (relevant) UK airspace to Special VFR when VFR is unaffected.
Anyone KNOW why?
UV
Anyone KNOW why?
UV
Join Date: Jun 2006
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Been for a lovely flight today. No problems whatsoever:
The dust particles are upper level (greater than FL100) and has affected jet traffic only. Jet engines suck in raw air into their engines and spit it out the back again, the "raw" air reaches moving parts of the engine - piston engines have air filters (unless carb heat on) so not affected (by smaller particles - ok at high level (which they cant operate in anyway) they could be).
No my windscreen has not been damaged, all the paint is on the propellor and leading edges still have paint on them. Checked the air fliter on landing - clean as a whistle.
Usual storn in a tea cup with Sky News making things sound like the apocalypse is upon us...
Even was cleared straight across controlled airspace even though its all supposed to be closed..
It does seem that the election is as predicted so boring that the reporters have got over excited AGAIN and poo'd their pants....
The dust particles are upper level (greater than FL100) and has affected jet traffic only. Jet engines suck in raw air into their engines and spit it out the back again, the "raw" air reaches moving parts of the engine - piston engines have air filters (unless carb heat on) so not affected (by smaller particles - ok at high level (which they cant operate in anyway) they could be).
No my windscreen has not been damaged, all the paint is on the propellor and leading edges still have paint on them. Checked the air fliter on landing - clean as a whistle.
Usual storn in a tea cup with Sky News making things sound like the apocalypse is upon us...
Even was cleared straight across controlled airspace even though its all supposed to be closed..
It does seem that the election is as predicted so boring that the reporters have got over excited AGAIN and poo'd their pants....
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totally agree. when are the controlling authorities actually going to employ and/or consult pilots rather than stuffed shirts on fat public sector final pensions...