Volcanic ash cloud and Private / VFR flying (merged)
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 13,787
Likes: 0
From: EuroGA.org
I flew s coast to yorkshire yesterday and back and my air filter looks exactly the same now as before - absolutely spotless. Unlimited vis at 5000-6000ft, most of the time.
Maybe today is different, and maybe there is more high up.
But I cannot see the physics supporting dangerous (abrasive) concentrations of anything and 30nm+ horizontal vis.
What is a soap sample?
Maybe today is different, and maybe there is more high up.
But I cannot see the physics supporting dangerous (abrasive) concentrations of anything and 30nm+ horizontal vis.
What is a soap sample?
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 1,479
Likes: 0
From: Surrey Hills
Surely the Met Office [well known for its super accurate forecasting - not] has been doing all the talking and walking on this one? Covering one's arse would be putting it mildly IMHO.
So thin is the Icelandic dust down South [Hog's Back] we haven't even had any volcanic sunsets.
I see Genghis the Engineer has been up for a looksee. Heard him talking on BBC radio last eve.
So thin is the Icelandic dust down South [Hog's Back] we haven't even had any volcanic sunsets.
I see Genghis the Engineer has been up for a looksee. Heard him talking on BBC radio last eve.
Joined: May 2001
Posts: 10,804
Likes: 1
A soap sample is a bottle of oil pulled from the engine after you have given it a run. Its then sent off to the lab where they do things to it. And send you a report on your engine. The report is scary accruate. They can tell you if you rings are leaking what components are shedding metal, if a bit of your engine is overheating locally etc etc.
And neither did the finish airforce and they have just had to change 4 engines. It will be interesting to see what they find when they boroscope the test aircrafts engines. I suspect for pistons you won't see anything in most cases until the next time you pull the cylinder head or something wears out way before its meant to.
And neither did the finish airforce and they have just had to change 4 engines. It will be interesting to see what they find when they boroscope the test aircrafts engines. I suspect for pistons you won't see anything in most cases until the next time you pull the cylinder head or something wears out way before its meant to.
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 38
Likes: 0
From: UK
IO540
I flew s coast to yorkshire yesterday and back and my air filter looks exactly the same now as before - absolutely spotless. Unlimited vis at 5000-6000ft, most of the time.
Maybe today is different, and maybe there is more high up.
But I cannot see the physics supporting dangerous (abrasive) concentrations of anything and 30nm+ horizontal vis.
Towards the end of the day and overnight, suspended particulate matter can descend especially if there is little or no wind. I am not far from Bagby and my car is again covered the same as my neighbors. So I think that is anyone believes that a good sunny day with clear skies means its ok then they are clearly wrong. It's the stuff you cannot see that will cost you money in the long run.
I flew s coast to yorkshire yesterday and back and my air filter looks exactly the same now as before - absolutely spotless. Unlimited vis at 5000-6000ft, most of the time.
Maybe today is different, and maybe there is more high up.
But I cannot see the physics supporting dangerous (abrasive) concentrations of anything and 30nm+ horizontal vis.
Towards the end of the day and overnight, suspended particulate matter can descend especially if there is little or no wind. I am not far from Bagby and my car is again covered the same as my neighbors. So I think that is anyone believes that a good sunny day with clear skies means its ok then they are clearly wrong. It's the stuff you cannot see that will cost you money in the long run.
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 17
Likes: 0
From: SW Scotland
VFR on Sunday?
Looking like being a decent afternoon tomorrow weather-wise (in Scotland, at least). I had a long-standing plan to head over to Islay for a spot of lunch, but HIAL have suspended out of hours operations for GA until Monday. 
Cumbernauld and Oban report normal operations, and it seems GA is still flying at Prestwick. Glasgow ATC also saying that VFR entry to the Glasgow zone is ok, in fact more likely to get a direct routing through the zone due to the lack of commercial traffic arriving and departing.
It sounds as if Oban is possible tomorrow, at least in terms of airspace and airports, although the plan may change depending on how the low level ash situation develops over the next 24 hours.
Fisbangwallop... what is the GA picture looking like so far today?
Cumbernauld and Oban report normal operations, and it seems GA is still flying at Prestwick. Glasgow ATC also saying that VFR entry to the Glasgow zone is ok, in fact more likely to get a direct routing through the zone due to the lack of commercial traffic arriving and departing.
It sounds as if Oban is possible tomorrow, at least in terms of airspace and airports, although the plan may change depending on how the low level ash situation develops over the next 24 hours.
Fisbangwallop... what is the GA picture looking like so far today?
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 6
Likes: 0
From: ireland
Ash Clouds Over Amsterdam
I flew here on Thursday in a BAe 146 and... I'm still here now. The trains are booked solid for days ahead, the ferries are... booked for days ahead. My mate offered to come and get me in his Cherokee 6 but they've closed the airspace here to low-level VFR traffic as well as the high-level IFR stuff and I'm sitting in my hotel room wondering why???
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 5,982
Likes: 1
From: In the boot of my car!
It is worrying that they have closed the airspace to low level VFR traffic.
Maybe this has something to do with security issues?
There is no safety issues with low level VFR traffic.
Pace
Maybe this has something to do with security issues?
There is no safety issues with low level VFR traffic.
Pace
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 4,598
Likes: 0
From: Amsterdam
The KNVvL has already protested against closing the airspace for low-level VFR traffic. There is no good explanation for this, other than maybe some ass-covering.
Tim, the tulip fields in the "Bollenstreek" are in full bloom now. While you're stuck in Amsterdam, make the best of it. Either book a tour that departs from Amsterdam, or take the train to Leiden and rent a bicycle there. It's a beautiful day today and tomorrow with light winds so make the best of it!
Tim, the tulip fields in the "Bollenstreek" are in full bloom now. While you're stuck in Amsterdam, make the best of it. Either book a tour that departs from Amsterdam, or take the train to Leiden and rent a bicycle there. It's a beautiful day today and tomorrow with light winds so make the best of it!
Guest
Posts: n/a
Despite being a bit of a cynic about this stuff, I somewhat reluctantly have to agree with mad_jock. Listen to Genghis on the radio or tv (BBC website too) or have a look at the Finnish Air Force F18 engines on Flight's website. Coupled with that I woke up this morning to both my cars covered in very fine (but gritty) dust. I leave it to the aeroplane owners at my club(s) to make the decision, but I'm now 70-30 not to fly. At Pik the cars don't seem to have the dust that we have 30mi NNE in Glasgow but that might just mean it hasn't quite made it to ground level. With Gipsy overhauls at about £25k I'd rather discretion be the better part of valour
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 13,787
Likes: 0
From: EuroGA.org
All fair points, but I think some perspective is in order. There is dust everywhere all the time, especially in the summer on nice days.
Anybody who does oil analysis will see a certain amount of silicon in the data. This is ingested soil. It is generally accepted that this plays a part in the rate of piston engine wear, but this needs to be seen against an assumed engine life of 2000hrs (which for most private owners is more than 20 years) during which time the engine has ingested a huge amount of soil.
That's why one has an air filter, and the filter should fit correctly.
There is also a tendency among some high altitude GA pilots to fly with the alternate air open all the time (when at altitude). I never do this - not least because it allows ice to form on the front of the air filter and then when you close the alternate air, the engine stops
Anybody who does oil analysis will see a certain amount of silicon in the data. This is ingested soil. It is generally accepted that this plays a part in the rate of piston engine wear, but this needs to be seen against an assumed engine life of 2000hrs (which for most private owners is more than 20 years) during which time the engine has ingested a huge amount of soil.
That's why one has an air filter, and the filter should fit correctly.
There is also a tendency among some high altitude GA pilots to fly with the alternate air open all the time (when at altitude). I never do this - not least because it allows ice to form on the front of the air filter and then when you close the alternate air, the engine stops
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 6
Likes: 0
From: ireland
Thanks, but I wish I could rent a boat instead..
By implication are we to think that any engine is at risk from dust all the way down to ground level. Are people still driving their cars, using their motor mowers to do the lawn while they wait for the next flight?
I agree that its a bit of @rse-covering by the various air traffic services.
By implication are we to think that any engine is at risk from dust all the way down to ground level. Are people still driving their cars, using their motor mowers to do the lawn while they wait for the next flight?
I agree that its a bit of @rse-covering by the various air traffic services.
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 1,113
Likes: 2
From: Iraq and other places
Pure arse-covering. Backpacker, I'd be interested to hear if there is any reaction from the authorities to the protest; how do they explain closing the airspace to gliders, for example!?
Is there a way to find out who has issued a certain NOTAM? They do not seem to include contact details when looked at through the Aviation Weather >> Europe > metar taf sigmet notam winds aloft significant weather information site.
Edit: I had a look at the KNVvL site, and the Dutch minister claims that the ban on all flying is due to "possible blockage of the pitot tube". I'm forced to wonder what planet these people live on.
Is there a way to find out who has issued a certain NOTAM? They do not seem to include contact details when looked at through the Aviation Weather >> Europe > metar taf sigmet notam winds aloft significant weather information site.
Edit: I had a look at the KNVvL site, and the Dutch minister claims that the ban on all flying is due to "possible blockage of the pitot tube". I'm forced to wonder what planet these people live on.
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 1,579
Likes: 0
From: Not a million miles from EGTF
It is an interesting topic.
At the moment the restriction on flying in the UK is achieved by NATS. The CAA hasn't banned VFR flying unlike Holland, France etc.
But once EASA takes full competence (??) would it be EASA that would make these decisions for the EU as a whole?
At the moment the restriction on flying in the UK is achieved by NATS. The CAA hasn't banned VFR flying unlike Holland, France etc.
But once EASA takes full competence (??) would it be EASA that would make these decisions for the EU as a whole?
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 1
Likes: 0
From: Bristol
Fly into Bristol Airport this weekend
This could be a once in a lifetime offer.
As Bristol Airport is twiddling it’s thumbs this weekend, any type of aircraft can land for £25 plus VAT from 0800 to 1800 today and tomorrow. There’s also a free drink at the Bristol and Wessex.
So far we’ve had several visiting microlights and a hot air balloon did a touch and go!
As Bristol Airport is twiddling it’s thumbs this weekend, any type of aircraft can land for £25 plus VAT from 0800 to 1800 today and tomorrow. There’s also a free drink at the Bristol and Wessex.
So far we’ve had several visiting microlights and a hot air balloon did a touch and go!
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 1,113
Likes: 2
From: Iraq and other places
KNVvL just announced that VFR flight has been re-allowed!!
Edit: aaaaand the NOTAM is out and applies only to non-motorised. Bloody hell...
Edit: aaaaand the NOTAM is out and applies only to non-motorised. Bloody hell...
Last edited by Katamarino; 17th April 2010 at 13:17.
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 6
Likes: 0
From: ireland
AAAAaaargh my eyes, my eyes. I can't see!!!
Actually its all blue skies and tulips out here in Holland but I can't fly(banned) sail(booked up) or drive(no hire cars.) There are 4000 pasenegers on camp beds at the airport. My Cherokee 6 friend can't even get to France now. My only way out is to get a ferry from Dunkirk to Dover tomorrow. How fitting.
Might give those flowers a visit - thanks for the good idea. Hopefully there'll be a pub.
Actually its all blue skies and tulips out here in Holland but I can't fly(banned) sail(booked up) or drive(no hire cars.) There are 4000 pasenegers on camp beds at the airport. My Cherokee 6 friend can't even get to France now. My only way out is to get a ferry from Dunkirk to Dover tomorrow. How fitting.
Might give those flowers a visit - thanks for the good idea. Hopefully there'll be a pub.