If the RAF do the test in what ever fast jet and it all goes pear shaped, at least they have the option to eject

Oh - no, no, no, Sunny Jim. Cannot have that. I see some ash build-up on your spark plugs. :(

You're grounded, mate. :ok:

Has anyone seen a definitive report on the BA747 engines and airframe? Assuming that they really did fly into dust-contaminated air (the reports of a climb to 40k leave me unimpressed with the stuff all below 20k!!) and also assuming that the jet went in for heavy maintenance, there should be some engine inspection results available.

what we need is a fleet of GA a/c flying out of Lydd and/or Manston ferrying pax back over the channel. Might take a while, carrying only two or three per flight but.....................we'd log a lot of hours

:ok::):D

According to Willie Walsh, everything is 100% rosy, and presumably all flights should immediately be reinstated.

Let's just hope a flame out happens outside of London.

Out of interest - since we've done the effect or no effect on the engines / airframe bit to death, what will the effects be on the SLF of flying for a few hours through the ash? Surely it'll make its way into the cabin via the CAU's & bleed air etc, not only being breathed in but also ingested in food & drinks.
R2

We're off
 

Manx2.com have two aircraft in the air flying from the Isle of Man to Belfast and Blackpool.

There's a risk of cabin contamination for sure. However, as I'm now up to smoking 30 a day through stress that will be the least of my worries. ;)

Open For Business
 

Just heard LHR likely to open at 1900 local on the 20th April with limited slots available and full resumption from 0530 on the 21st April.

That's a very valid question, I would suspect that once we start flying, the air quality will be monitored on a selection of aircraft. In the end a calculated risck will be taken, just as with the radiation you suffer once you reach cruising levels.

Unofficial but

FYI The Met Office has advised DfT that the eruption stopped last night.

UK airspace will be progressively reopened tomorrow.

Scottish airspace will open at 0600

Midlands at 1200

Southern UK at 1800

Northern France and German airspace are likely to remain closed tomorrow.

NATS and CAA are preparing initial operating principles for the start up period.

I was briefly in the RAF, and that was not what I signed on to do. I signed on to fight for the nation's defence, but not to risk my life for the economic convenience of the airlines. Your "disposable" attitude to the armed forces is rather insulting, but sadly also common. However, if you had the slightest clue of the resources issues in the services, you would soon understand that the RAF cannot afford to risk the loss of a Tornado, or other aircraft, that would not be replaced because of budget cuts which are set to increase dramatically, and the crew should not be risked either. You may think that the aircraft may just suffer engine damage, but what if things go wrong on landing the crippled aircraft? The crew might be able to eject, but that's hardly low-risk.

More significantly, what do you propose they do with the Tornado? Just fly around aimlessly until things go wrong? There are no sensor pods or sample collectors that could be fitted, so nothing scientific would be gained from your disposal of critical military assets.

Beausoleil
 

What I should have said was "ash" of course. Silly me. I was going to mention, but didn't, soot from the Kuwait oilfields that were ignited during the gulf war, which along with blowing sand, caused huge amounts of "clag" in the area, but did not stop operations.
However, if you think we are not dealing with "grit" and "silicon" what do you suggest it is that has been deposited on my car this morning?

It's not so much that he's desperate to resume flying. He knows that to do so could bring down a 'cloud' of additional maintenance costs. What he is doing, assisted in part by his chums at IATA, is building the case for government overreaction.

When he's finished he'll be back looking for government handout.

It's really that simple.

I don't understand the confusion over this and desert flying. Sand in the desert is made of large grains of silica. They are rounded from years of abrasion and they won't have the same melt characteristics of the finer, sharper mica in the ash cloud, which being fine will melt more readily, will be deflected less by airflow direction changes (coating more of the engine interior) and being more abrasive.

These comparisons with sand storms are pointless. The differences in effects between mica and silica have been posted previously, which is where I learnt about them yesterday. I think many would benefit from reading the thread properly and learning form the scientists and engineers who have contributed.

As the situation is reviewed every six hours ( next at 1500), I dont see how they can give a prediction of 1900 tomorrow.
I'm not sure the SLF are in a hurry to travel unless they are stranded.

German carriers are starting operation again using Y and Z flightplanes, effectively flying VFR in german airspace and then switching to IFR once they are clear of the affected area.

1900
 

Pretty confident my info of good quality let's wait and see, different people running the show now hence the different approach.

BA has now cancelled all flights for Tues 20th.

Jetex Jim - Good call! FYI WW has already played the handout card (according to this morning's BBC teletext), claiming the post 9/11 payouts as a legitimate precedent.