Ash clouds threaten air traffic

[Cows getting bigger]

Methinks this event will spark some serious research into volcanic ash. Right now Europe seems to be adopting an all-or-nothing approach.

[Low Flier]

I think you've rather missed the point, BDiONU.

[natops]

Test flight KLM B737 above the Netherlands, departed 1715z.

Lets see what they find out, or bring back with them...

[sprocky_ger]

@udachi moya:
At least for LH this is true. They move ten a/c that diverted to MUC to FRA. Also I saw at radarvirtuel earlier today that Condor and Air Berlin moved some a/c at "low level": 11,500 ft.

[Yeovil]

Where is the evidence?

I think some bloody Eurocontrol lawyer is confusing Eric Moody flying straight through the Volcano overhead ( at night ) and wispy invisible ash over Europe.

We really need some tests and a scientific approach . The lawyers and the "Elf n Safety " brigade need to get out of the debate.

Its CAVOK over most of southern England and no ash evident.

[boguing]

I hear that Gatwick was welcoming GA. Allegedly a large number of biplanes.

[BDiONU]

Originally Posted by Yeovil

Where is the evidence?
We really need some tests and a scientific approach .

And until that point what is the safest course of action?

BD

[lepidus]

Ref posts 638 & 641, what about the medical evacuation flights from Afganistan back to the UK with wounded service personnel. If these flights cannot enter UK airspace, where else can the wounded get the quality treatment that is not available in Afganistan. I hope this has been resolved.

[timraper]

Evidence hmmmm.
Where have you been for the past 3 days?
Please think, pause, think, then post.
They haven't shut down the sky for a laugh

[roljoe]

Hi,

is there a obvious reason to ground the regional traffic..which could fly at lower levels...where normally no ash (or just a few) could be met..???

Thanks

[BDiONU]

Originally Posted by roljoe

is there a obvious reason to ground the regional traffic..which could fly at lower levels...where normally no ash (or just a few) could be met..???

Yes it's called gravity, been around a few years. The ash doesn't just stay up high, what goes up must come down.

BD

[22 Degree Halo]

An Icelandic volcanologist was just interviewed on C4 news. He reports seismic activity near Katla saying an eruption is 'very likely'

[Mars Attacks]

Great Photo, found here Eyjafjallajökull eruption update for 4/17/2010 : Eruptions

[timraper]

roljoe I volunteer you to give it a try

[430tststs]

test flight

I just heared they have a test flight from KLM
Its a boeing 737 Left Schiphol airport at 19.15 ours. they go see if the air is clean enough. they obnly fly above holland In first they planned to fly to germany but later changed the plan and just fly around in Holland. Even president of the KLM mr Peter Hartman is on board.

Grtz

[Low Flier]

Test flight KLM B737 above the Netherlands, departed 1715z.
Lets see what they find out, or bring back with them...

Chuftiscope piccies of the hot section would be nice ... or mebbe not, depending how representative their flight is of longhaul departures/arrivals through the main cloud which is going to be over inland Europe for the next few days.

[luoto]

Presumably the UK and EU forces needing medevacing can go in the interim to a USAF base instead of home base in extremis rather than risking things by flying in as an emergency flght ? Have not checked the mil forum today.

A quick check on the Rumour Service noted this posting:
"Currently sitting in Cyprus as one of many EOT returnees. All accom here now full, and airbridge appears to have ground to a halt. The last few days have been utter chaos.

Current priority is to get those on R&R away, then EOT.

CCAST flights still possible, I understand, as they are emergencies and so permitted under NATS rules."

But there is also possible concern about resupply from NATO stocks in EU for Afghanistan if the flight situation stays sticky in the medium term and other logistics channels cannot be calibarated.

[BreezyDC]

Roljoe, in addition to the previously noted law of gravity, note the large red outlined mass in the MET ash forecast (latest at http://www.metoffice.gov.uk/aviation...1271526609.png ) denoting surface to FL200. Of note in the latest is the remark that "showing thinner layers didn't provide any significant additional information."

This seems to imply that that big mass of fine ash is forecast to descend slowly through all FL (that gravity thing again). Of interest are the more recent sampling efforts to gain more information on actual dispersal, especially in primary flight paths.

[RobertS975]

Here is the track from Friday's attempt to run BA 284 from SFO to GLA:

FlightAware > British Airways #284 > 16-Apr-2010 > KSFO-KSFO

Looks like they got the hook over Montana.

[Less Hair]

Lufthansa today ferried ten empty a/c from EDDM to EDDF without any problem. They went VFR and are said to have remained low at around 10000 feet.