Helicopters and Volcanic Ash?
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VAAC looking better
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fly for fun
presumably you still are advised not to fly with pbh untill turbomecca advises otherwise
did they made a mistake in advising ? is compensation payable ?
a new can of worms
Is anyone aware of updated guidence from P and W / Turbomeca with regards to their engines and what restrictions, if any they still have in place?
did they made a mistake in advising ? is compensation payable ?
a new can of worms
What is going on at Aberdeen. I keep seeing flights starting then stopping. Are engineers finding damage, crews finding ash, or is it just legal loopholes to be steered around?
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Special 25
At Aberdeen the 3 Operators are in constant contact with each other and the ATC.
I do not want to upset my bosses by explaining details but they are doing their best to provide a service whilst at the same time remaining in strict compliance with the Engine Manufacturer's guidlines and the notam VAACs information.
The start/stop you are witnessing is a direct result of the changing shape of the NOTAM and VAACS dispersion charts.
There is no option but to remain within the current guidelines.
Hope this helps
DB
At Aberdeen the 3 Operators are in constant contact with each other and the ATC.
I do not want to upset my bosses by explaining details but they are doing their best to provide a service whilst at the same time remaining in strict compliance with the Engine Manufacturer's guidlines and the notam VAACs information.
The start/stop you are witnessing is a direct result of the changing shape of the NOTAM and VAACS dispersion charts.
There is no option but to remain within the current guidelines.
Hope this helps
DB
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BBC News - Offshore helicopters report volcano ash flight problems
Offshore helicopters report volcano ash flight problems
Helicopter flights over the North Sea were recalled after two aircraft reported being covered with volcanic ash.
The two Bond-operated aircraft were flying about 70 miles off Aberdeen.
The pilots reported ash on the windscreens after flying through a rain cloud on Tuesday night. There was no damage and no ash was found in engines.
The later decision to close airspace over parts of the North Sea led to the cancellation of helicopter flights.
Bond said it had cancelled all offshore flights, while Bristow cancelled all services from Scatsta in Shetland. CHC has also stopped some flights.
Hundreds of offshore workers were left stranded in the wake of the Iceland volcano ash flights disruption.
Helicopter flights over the North Sea were recalled after two aircraft reported being covered with volcanic ash.
The two Bond-operated aircraft were flying about 70 miles off Aberdeen.
The pilots reported ash on the windscreens after flying through a rain cloud on Tuesday night. There was no damage and no ash was found in engines.
The later decision to close airspace over parts of the North Sea led to the cancellation of helicopter flights.
Bond said it had cancelled all offshore flights, while Bristow cancelled all services from Scatsta in Shetland. CHC has also stopped some flights.
Hundreds of offshore workers were left stranded in the wake of the Iceland volcano ash flights disruption.
Last edited by Senior Pilot; 21st Apr 2010 at 20:55. Reason: Quote news report
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"The pilots reported ash on the windscreens..."
According to a large number of amateur vulcanologists on PPRuNe, the ash doesn't exist.
Avoid imitations
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It exists, it was found on the windscreens. However, according to the same BBC report, no damage was caused to the aircraft or its powerplants.
The pilots made a sensible decision to return as they were faced with an unknown, possible hazard. With the benefit of hindsight and experience gained, hopefully they might be encouraged to fly again.
Bit like icing conditions.... if in doubt, pull out.
The pilots made a sensible decision to return as they were faced with an unknown, possible hazard. With the benefit of hindsight and experience gained, hopefully they might be encouraged to fly again.
Bit like icing conditions.... if in doubt, pull out.
Avoid imitations
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Come again?
Sandyhelmet,
Was told to only "chem" wash the engines and not rinse them because if volcanic dust is present in the engine the water wash would turn it into "cement like" substance what would do more damage than good.
Finalchecksplease
Was told to only "chem" wash the engines and not rinse them because if volcanic dust is present in the engine the water wash would turn it into "cement like" substance what would do more damage than good.
Finalchecksplease
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IronChefflay.
Thanks for the info. Yeah I probably got a bit over enthusiastic with the 100 hours left. It feels so much better when I re-read and see that they may have had as little as 100 hours left.
DB
Thanks for the info. Yeah I probably got a bit over enthusiastic with the 100 hours left. It feels so much better when I re-read and see that they may have had as little as 100 hours left.
DB
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I've just been reading on the CAA website that:
“The major barrier to resuming flight has been understanding tolerance levels of aircraft to ash. Manufacturers have now agreed increased tolerance levels in low ash density areas.”
and
"The CAA’s Revised Airspace Guidance will be based on new engine ash tolerance levels and will apply to low ash density areas identified by the Met Office. This information will be circulated on a six hourly basis. Airspace where eash levels exceed this new limit will be no fly zones." (UK?S INDEPENDENT AVIATION REGULATOR ISSUES GUIDANCE TO OPEN AIRSPACE WITH SAFETY RESTRICTIONS | CAA Newsroom | CAA)
Has anyone been able to find charts of these areas issued by the Met Office? At the moment all I can find is the usual VAAC charts (http://www.metoffice.gov.uk/aviation...1271914184.png). Further, does anyone know which engine manufacturers have agreed ash tolerance levels or is it assumed to be all of them?
“The major barrier to resuming flight has been understanding tolerance levels of aircraft to ash. Manufacturers have now agreed increased tolerance levels in low ash density areas.”
and
"The CAA’s Revised Airspace Guidance will be based on new engine ash tolerance levels and will apply to low ash density areas identified by the Met Office. This information will be circulated on a six hourly basis. Airspace where eash levels exceed this new limit will be no fly zones." (UK?S INDEPENDENT AVIATION REGULATOR ISSUES GUIDANCE TO OPEN AIRSPACE WITH SAFETY RESTRICTIONS | CAA Newsroom | CAA)
Has anyone been able to find charts of these areas issued by the Met Office? At the moment all I can find is the usual VAAC charts (http://www.metoffice.gov.uk/aviation...1271914184.png). Further, does anyone know which engine manufacturers have agreed ash tolerance levels or is it assumed to be all of them?
The UK Metoffice added forecast charts about the VA. Now the predicted ashconcentration is included:
Met Office: Icelandic volcano - Ash concentration charts
skadi
Met Office: Icelandic volcano - Ash concentration charts
skadi
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^^^
You beat me to it Skadi.
It strange though, those charts were on the same webpage as the other vaac charts until a couple of days ago. And instead of the guff about 'engine manufacturer tolerance levels' (which engine/manufacturer?) the charts were described in terms of standard thresholds level (not that that actual give me a practical datum to understand the relevance!). Now the only place to see that chart is under the 'pressoffice' part of the site. Priorities seem to have changed and PR is now at the forefront.
You beat me to it Skadi.
It strange though, those charts were on the same webpage as the other vaac charts until a couple of days ago. And instead of the guff about 'engine manufacturer tolerance levels' (which engine/manufacturer?) the charts were described in terms of standard thresholds level (not that that actual give me a practical datum to understand the relevance!). Now the only place to see that chart is under the 'pressoffice' part of the site. Priorities seem to have changed and PR is now at the forefront.
Avoid imitations
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Now the authorities have admitted the safe levels of dust/ash in the air are 20 times what they previously thought only a few days ago, I hope some contributors feel 20 times safer when flying today. 
As I said before, thirty years ago we were quite used to flying in thick (silica sand) dust all summer with no major effects on the aircraft or engines.
As I said before, thirty years ago we were quite used to flying in thick (silica sand) dust all summer with no major effects on the aircraft or engines.
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Thanks for that Skadi; I did search the site but I think the CAA referred to density rather than concentration so that is why I probably never found anything.
Finally found the CAA guidance: http://www.caa.co.uk/docs/33/srg_as_NOTAL201003.pdf More PR fluff than detail if you ask me.
Finally found the CAA guidance: http://www.caa.co.uk/docs/33/srg_as_NOTAL201003.pdf More PR fluff than detail if you ask me.