Ash clouds threaten air traffic
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 2,315
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From: France
Mostly, that both Iceland and Italy appear to have tools to measure real ash (and other particulates) concentrations in the atmosphere, using lidars in particular. Having had a few more of those available to deploy when this "big one" happened would have been useful.
As the Italian article mentions, here in Europe we rarely get volcanic ash, but mostly Sahara sand. And I've been wiping that off my car regularly, even when I was still living in Paris. So if they can measure that with some degree of accuracy, I would expect they can measure volcanic ash too (same granularity, even if not at all the same composition).
CJ
As the Italian article mentions, here in Europe we rarely get volcanic ash, but mostly Sahara sand. And I've been wiping that off my car regularly, even when I was still living in Paris. So if they can measure that with some degree of accuracy, I would expect they can measure volcanic ash too (same granularity, even if not at all the same composition).
CJ
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 2,315
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From: France
They glide marvelously, actually....
But from six miles high, they'll glide something like a hundred miles at the most.
And most of the time, there's nowhere flat enough (like an airport?) within a hundred miles to put down safely.
CJ
But from six miles high, they'll glide something like a hundred miles at the most.
And most of the time, there's nowhere flat enough (like an airport?) within a hundred miles to put down safely.
CJ
Joined: Dec 2005
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From: Southern Shores of Old Lusitania Kingdom
My Dear Friends...i really need your humble, sincere and wise opinions....im trapped since a few days here on the Azores trying to return mainland Portugal as an SLF, but still without any nice news...so here it goes these 2 main questions...:
1) When you expect we can we got out of here?
2) The Clouds here at this distance from Iceland is still enough really dangerous to flying? Whats about the PPM readings? Some military aircraft flown here in the zone these last few hours with ZERO ash reported!
Tanx....but please....Oh Boy, im really missing my lovely Bed..
1) When you expect we can we got out of here?
2) The Clouds here at this distance from Iceland is still enough really dangerous to flying? Whats about the PPM readings? Some military aircraft flown here in the zone these last few hours with ZERO ash reported!
Tanx....but please....Oh Boy, im really missing my lovely Bed..
Guest
Joined: May 2008
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From: Somewhere between E17487 and F75775
ChristiaanJ, so far Girona open, Ryanair only showing flights departing to the west cancelled.
My wife's due to fly out to Gatwick from Girona today so we are watching situation in nervous anticipation.
Catalan TV forecast is for ash cloud right overhead between 20,000 and 30,000 today stretching S.West to N.East, i.e. up into Eastern France.
Flights into GRN (and PPG for that matter) may be possible making a more westerly apprach than usual and descending well under cloud on arrival.
We shall see. Keeping fingers toes and other appurtances crossed. Have checked TGV prices, €100 Perpignan to Paris and then €260 Paris to London (gulp)
SEE MY POST LATER ON, THIS THREAD....
My wife's due to fly out to Gatwick from Girona today so we are watching situation in nervous anticipation.
Catalan TV forecast is for ash cloud right overhead between 20,000 and 30,000 today stretching S.West to N.East, i.e. up into Eastern France.
Flights into GRN (and PPG for that matter) may be possible making a more westerly apprach than usual and descending well under cloud on arrival.
We shall see. Keeping fingers toes and other appurtances crossed. Have checked TGV prices, €100 Perpignan to Paris and then €260 Paris to London (gulp)
SEE MY POST LATER ON, THIS THREAD....
Last edited by OFSO; 11th May 2010 at 15:20.
See and avoid
Joined: Mar 2003
Aviation Qualifications: PPL
Posts: 757
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From: USA
If the mods will permit my two cents on what is probably the most viewed thread in PPRuNe history...
Yellowstone National Park in the US is a huge volcanic caldera waiting to go off again someday. Check out the Old Faithful Geyser!
Yellowstone Caldera - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
I flew over Mt Saint Helens as SLF a month after it blew. I've never seen such a huge fresh hole in a mountain before or since, but aside from the occasional puff of smoke and steam, it's been pretty quiet.
As covered by many others in this thread, the Icelandic volcano seems to produce an especially abrasive ash that the jet stream carries over much of European flight paths. (I wonder if it's affecting migratory birds?)
Yellowstone National Park in the US is a huge volcanic caldera waiting to go off again someday. Check out the Old Faithful Geyser!
Yellowstone Caldera - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
I flew over Mt Saint Helens as SLF a month after it blew. I've never seen such a huge fresh hole in a mountain before or since, but aside from the occasional puff of smoke and steam, it's been pretty quiet.
As covered by many others in this thread, the Icelandic volcano seems to produce an especially abrasive ash that the jet stream carries over much of European flight paths. (I wonder if it's affecting migratory birds?)
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 738
Likes: 4
From: london,uk
Mostly, that both Iceland and Italy appear to have tools to measure real ash (and other particulates) concentrations in the atmosphere, using lidars in particular. Having had a few more of those available to deploy when this "big one" happened would have been useful.
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 7
Likes: 0
From: The Black North
Ryanair plane in precautionary landing at Belfast City
BBC News - Ryanair plane in precautionary landing at Belfast City
Ryanair plane in precautionary landing at Belfast City
The plane made a precautionary landing at Belfast City Airport
A Ryanair plane travelling to London Stansted has made a precautionary landing at Belfast City Airport after taking off on Tuesday.
A Ryanair said: "After take off cabin crew noticed an acrid smell and standard procedure was followed and the aircraft turned back and landed".
All 154 passengers disembarked safely at about 0730 BST.
A spokesperson from Belfast City Airport said emergency services were at the scene as a precaution.
The source of the smell is being investigated.
Ryanair plane in precautionary landing at Belfast City
The plane made a precautionary landing at Belfast City Airport
A Ryanair plane travelling to London Stansted has made a precautionary landing at Belfast City Airport after taking off on Tuesday.
A Ryanair said: "After take off cabin crew noticed an acrid smell and standard procedure was followed and the aircraft turned back and landed".
All 154 passengers disembarked safely at about 0730 BST.
A spokesperson from Belfast City Airport said emergency services were at the scene as a precaution.
The source of the smell is being investigated.
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 738
Likes: 4
From: london,uk
Peter, only by measurements you can back up the theory of where the ash is, surely?
Weather theory is pretty good and sophisticated and the 60mile buffer is going to cover the uncertainty. Unlike weather prediction, its where the cloud is in a few hours rather than a few days that matters and thats much easier.
Still pumping out ash
Eyjafjallajökull frá Hvolsvelli
Lots of earthquake activity
Earthquakes - Mýrdalsjökull
Icenews reports that the dust is finer
Meanwhile RUV reports a series of earthquakes under and around Eyjafjallajokull which could signal changes to the volcanic eruption.
According to geophysicist Steinunn Jakobsdottir, the quakes could be a sign of a new vent about to open. The volcano already has three vents, but only the one on the northernmost edge is still erupting.
Ash fall in the area has been decreasing and is currently very fine but large rocks have replaced the ash production, apparently caused by the earthquakes. The rocks are being shot high up into the air and crashing down onto the glacier, making holes in the ice. The size and weight of the rocks means that they are a very localised problem and only fall very near to the volcano.
According to geophysicist Steinunn Jakobsdottir, the quakes could be a sign of a new vent about to open. The volcano already has three vents, but only the one on the northernmost edge is still erupting.
Ash fall in the area has been decreasing and is currently very fine but large rocks have replaced the ash production, apparently caused by the earthquakes. The rocks are being shot high up into the air and crashing down onto the glacier, making holes in the ice. The size and weight of the rocks means that they are a very localised problem and only fall very near to the volcano.
A Runyonesque Character
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 1,209
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From: The South of France ... Not
At the current time airports on the Canary Islands, some in south-west Spain and some in Morocco are closed. According to the forecasts, during the afternoon, areas of higher ash concentration could move in a north-easterly direction cutting across the Iberian Iberian Peninsula and into south east France. These areas are of high altitude and are not expected to impact airports.
Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 410
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From: EASA territory
Why hsa the buffer zone of 60 miles been removed?
"To this end charts showing areas of potential concentrated contamination have been produced in close coordination with London Volcanic Ash Advisory Centre. These charts enable States to establish NO FLY zones where necessary. Ongoing work by the UK Met Office and the UK CAA has confirmed the effectiveness of the model used to determine the areas where ash concentration could be above engine tolerance levels. For that reason, the 60 nautical mile "Buffer Zone" which was initially added has been removed from charts published as from 11-1200 UTC. States retain the prerogative to add the 60nm buffer if they believe it is necessary to do so."
Joined: Mar 2008
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From: Orpington
Ash at 13:40 today from weather satellite.
Last edited by SLF-Flyer; 11th May 2010 at 16:00.
Guest
Joined: May 2008
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From: Somewhere between E17487 and F75775
Just brought wife back from Girona. Sat in aircraft for half an hour, then told flight to Gatwick scrubbed due ash cloud. FR quite efficient, rebooked everyone for tomorrow.
But we shall see.......
r Duh !
But we shall see.......
r Duh !
Last edited by OFSO; 11th May 2010 at 18:39.
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 2,315
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From: France