Flights cancelled due to volcanic ash cloud from Iceland, Eyjafjallajokull

[regi]

I wonder if this would have happened during WW2, it would have halted all aviation activity as well.
The ash may be less harmfull to piston engines, but in the later stage of the war, most had compressors.

[tolipanebas]

IATA hits out at European governments for lack of leadership in volcanic ash crisis.

“We are far enough into this crisis to express our dissatisfaction on how governments have managed it—with no risk assessment, no consultation, no coordination, and no leadership. This crisis is costing airlines at least $200 million a day in lost revenues and the European economy is suffering billions of dollars in lost business. In the face of such dire economic consequences, it is incredible that Europe’s transport ministers have taken five days to organize a teleconference,” said Giovanni Bisignani, IATA’s Director General and CEO.

“Governments must place greater urgency and focus on how and when we can safely re-open Europe’s skies. This means decisions based on risk-management, facts and utilizing operational procedures that maintain safety, rather than relying purely on a single mathematical model” said Bisignani.

IATA criticized Europe’s unique methodology of closing airspace based on theoretical modeling of the ash cloud. “This means that governments have not taken their responsibility to make clear decisions based on facts. Instead, it has been the air navigation service providers who announced that they would not provide service. And these decisions have been taken without adequately consulting the airlines. This is not an acceptable system particularly when the consequences for safety and the economy are so large,” said Bisignani.

I'd love to be watching in on that telco this afternoon: given the ever building pressure of empirical data suggesting the decision to close the entire airspace was utter madness right from the start, I'd love to hear just how our totally ignorant ministers of transport think they will manage to get back to reality somehow, without discarding the very basis of their original decision (the mathematical model as sole source of information) and thus admit personal error.

If this is over, I wouldn't like to be in their shoes really: Mr. Mayrhuber (who's an aviation engineer himself) went into discussion with the German Transport minister last night on television and he basically wiped him out with clear facts and figures, while all that idiot of a politician could come up with were non-telling generalities prepared for him by some advisors who know not half of what a PROFESSIONAL knows. From the anger on the face of the LH CEO, you could just feel he's ready to sue the clothes of the German government once this is over and rightfully so!

[tolipanebas]

Also an interesting point to note here is this:

Russia has kept its airspace open and all of Moscow's airports continue to operate normally, sending flights out to other open airports in Europe (including Rome, Madrid, etc), although Moscow and the areas around it are depicted on the maps to be under the same shade of gray as much of Western Europe for several days in a row now!

Just shows you the value of this mathematical model really.

[fcw]

From the CFM maintenance manual:

The following actions are recommended for engines that have operated (on the ground or in-flight) in a
volcanic ash environment (or if exposure is suspected or unknown) prior to
the next engine start.

A. Inspect the engine inlet and exhaust areas for damage or erosion

B. Borescope inspect the Booster, HPC, combustor, HPT, and LPT for evidence of erosion, foreign object damage, ash deposits, and cooling hole plugging.

C. Change engine oil filters.

D. Drain oil system and refill with fresh oil.

E. Schedule a repeat HPT borescope inspection at the next aircraft A check
or within 400-800 hours.

F. Perform a ground power assurance run.

G. Continue to use the engine and vigilantly review the engine trend monitoring data to look for possible negative engine performance.
paths resulting in reduced cooling flow and can also cause rotor imbalance from accumulation of material settling and drying in the rotor spools

[LAGPanoramic]

Let's bring the feathers and tar out, because some ministers are in need of a special treatment!

I am very dissapointed in some reactions, like this one above, and like the "Adolf" used already somewhere else...

I think the initial closure was a good decision, as at that time no one knew how concentrated the ash cloud was, and how fast it was progressing. And indeed later it appeared it was progressing rather slowly, so some people clame it was wrong to close airspace so quickly...
I'm sorry, but I think the right decisions were taken right from the start. In my opinion, it is better to be 200% too safe, than 1% not enough! Imagine that decision would have been taken to wait a little longer, and that the cloud would have been moving faster, causing damage to the engines of one or some planes... I bet that the owners of the planes would then have been angry that they had to suffer damages (and costs) because they were given green light to fly in risky conditions...

And about the fact airspace is still closed: yes, at this time it might be exagerated, but here again, better no risks!

What I indeed find unacceptable, is that no real scientific tests seem to have been made. And I'm not talking about a short PR flight with a 737. I can not believe that there is not a single test plane in Europe who can be sent out there to make some tests...
Our Air Force has money to send F16's to a silly war, but not to help our citizens by making some serious tests in our own sky??? This is not only pathetic, but makes me angry!

Btw, it was my brothers wedding this week-end, his wife's witness was stuck in Barcelona, and they couldn't leave for their 4 weeks honeymoon yesterday evening as planned. But he stays cool, saying "better staying safely here than being on a plane which has to make an emergency landing..."

[regi]

From the CFM maintenance manual:

The following actions are recommended for engines that have operated (on the ground or in-flight) in a
volcanic ash environment (or if exposure is suspected or unknown) prior to
the next engine start.

A. Inspect the engine inlet and exhaust areas for damage or erosion

B. Borescope inspect the Booster, HPC, combustor, HPT, and LPT for evidence of erosion, foreign object damage, ash deposits, and cooling hole plugging.

C. Change engine oil filters.

D. Drain oil system and refill with fresh oil.

E. Schedule a repeat HPT borescope inspection at the next aircraft A check
or within 400-800 hours.

F. Perform a ground power assurance run.

G. Continue to use the engine and vigilantly review the engine trend monitoring data to look for possible negative engine performance.
paths resulting in reduced cooling flow and can also cause rotor imbalance from accumulation of material settling and drying in the rotor spools

Nothing about contamination of the bearings and bearing seals?
Or is it thought that by centrifugal forces the central bearings would not be contaminated?

[LAGPanoramic]

Brussels Airlines has sollicited governmental help.

As an aviation passionate, I understand, but as a taxpayer, I really hope they won't get a penny!

People, don't forget that aviation has already a big PERMANENT help: no taxes on fuel! (and if I'm not wrong, not subject to VAT at all)

Why do cars, vans, coaches, trucks, diesel trains, boats have to pay taxes on fuel, but planes don't have to???

That's a big help enough in my opinion...

[regi]

Let's bring the feathers and tar out, because some ministers are in need of a special treatment!

I am very dissapointed in some reactions, like this one above, and like the "Adolf" used already somewhere else...

I think the initial closure was a good decision, as at that time no one knew how concentrated the ash cloud was, and how fast it was progressing. And indeed later it appeared it was progressing rather slowly, so some people clame it was wrong to close airspace so quickly...
I'm sorry, but I think the right decisions were taken right from the start. In my opinion, it is better to be 200% too safe, than 1% not enough! Imagine that decision would have been taken to wait a little longer, and that the cloud would have been moving faster, causing damage to the engines of one or some planes... I bet that the owners of the planes would then have been angry that they had to suffer damages (and costs) because they were given green light to fly in risky conditions...

And about the fact airspace is still closed: yes, at this time it might be exagerated, but here again, better no risks!

What I indeed find unacceptable, is that no real scientific tests seem to have been made. And I'm not talking about a short PR flight with a 737. I can not believe that there is not a single test plane in Europe who can be sent out there to make some tests...
Our Air Force has money to send F16's to a silly war, but not to help our citizens by making some serious tests in our own sky??? This is not only pathetic, but makes me angry!

Btw, it was my brothers wedding this week-end, his wife's witness was stuck in Barcelona, and they couldn't leave for their 4 weeks honeymoon yesterday evening as planned. But he stays cool, saying "better staying safely here than being on a plane which has to make an emergency landing..."

The USA closed its airspace with the 9/11 attacks. This decision was made after all the attacks were done and there was not 1 sign that any new attack would be coming. It prevented nothing, but caused enormous economic damage to the aviation sector. And it increased fear for the civilians.
Despite both cases are not 100% comparable, we see similar wrong overacting by state organisations.
I agree that it is a disgrace that we cannot put 1 test flight in the air. We sent in the 1950's balloons with all kind of equipment flying over Soviet airspace. Is it really too difficult to see if we have some "weather balloons" left over , stuff them with some measuring devices and lanch them...TODAY ?

[Propwash]

I am very dissapointed in some reactions, like this one above, and like the "Adolf" used already somewhere else...

You should do your home work a 'little bit' better

It's part of his name (honest).

[Desert Rat]

Nothing about contamination of the bearings and bearing seals?
Or is it thought that by centrifugal forces the central bearings would not be contaminated?

The bearing housing are pressurized to avoid external contamination.

[LAGPanoramic]

On the other hand, I'm sure the hotel industry doesn't mind, as well as the car rentals, railways, bus companies, caterers, etc... and countless airport residents!

Hotel industry and coach companies are indeed happy with the situation, but concerning rental cars, I think it won't be a gold mine. Yes they rent more cars than usual, but all with dropp off at another location, so when this will be over, it will be a huge task to bring back all cars at their original location. I think some car transport truckers will be happy as well

About coach companies, after years of decline, in good part due to competition of airline (LCC on top) which don't pay taxes on fuel, they finally have a good time now. I was phoned yesterday by a swedisch coach company, all their vehicles are driving, and they are looking to hire coaches abroad, as they have to bring back stranded swedisch tourists from all Europe. They told me there is not a single coach still free in Sweden. Their week-end emergency service, who is normally 1 person, was extended to 4 persons this sunday! For example, one of their coaches left empty yesterday for Ancona, Italy. That's a long long trip...
More or less same story here. A large coach company from Limburg, which I know very well, has all vehicle driving. The few vehicles still available at this time of year (it is a busy period with last ski trips and first sun destinations) left all during the week-end to pick up stranded plane passengers.

On the evening news of RTBF yesterday, they told SN had hired 6 coaches to bring back people from Barcelona. They even interviewed Dutch people, KLM clients having no info's at all, who could came back with the SN coaches. They were very happy with this SN organisation
Then, they interviewed Belgian people who just arrived at Brussels airport, they chartered a Spanish coach by themselves. The driver told it was a smooth trip, while people where gratefull and happy to finally go home

On the contrary, in France, SNCF unions are on strike today, as they were last week!!! Unbelievable to me, they had an opportunity for a big PR stunt, but no, they keep striking... Pathetic...
So French coach companies are really in a rush, backing up both SNCF and Air France...

[regi]

Nothing about contamination of the bearings and bearing seals?
Or is it thought that by centrifugal forces the central bearings would not be contaminated?

The bearing housing are pressurized to avoid external contamination.

didn't know that, thank you.

[Homo Aeroportus]

.... although Moscow and the areas around it are depicted on the maps to be under the same shade of gray as much of Western Europe for several days in a row now!

Just shows you the value of this mathematical model really.

OK I pull out the legs of a flea, then shout "Jump" and it doens't.
Your conclusion is that the flea became deaf ???!!

Supposing the Russian have the same info as we have and they decide to fly does NOT prove the model is wrong, or is it?

[Propwash]

Off topic

Here are some photo's of someone who overflew Schiphol yesterday afternoon (our Bloody Sunday).

Photo 1
Photo 2
Photo 3

New Dutch NOTAM

A0471/10 - DUE TO VOLCANIC ACTIVITY IN ICELAND AND THE RESULTING ASHCLOUDS IN
THE AMSTERDAM FIR, ALL IFR OPERATIONS ARE PROHIBITED.

VFR FLIGHTS ARE ALLOWED AT OWN DISCRETION.
IN ADDITION OF NORMAL APPLICABLE STANDARDS AND RULES, PASSENGERS TRANSPORT IS ONLY ALLOWED IF THE FOLLOWING RULES ARE ADHERED TO: 1)9 OR LESS PAX SEATS IN THE AIRCRAFT, 2) MAX TKOF WEIGHT 5700KG OR LESS. AFTER COMPLETING EACH VFR FLIGHT A PILOT REPORT SHOULD BE FILED IMMEDIATLY TO VULKAAN(AT)KNMI.NL CONTAINING FOLLOWING INFORMATION: ROUTE, ALTITUDE, DATE AND TIME OF FLIGHT IN LOCAL TIME, OBSERVATIONS REGARDING (ASH)CLOUDS. EVEN WHEN NO OBSERVATIONS HAVE BEEN MADE A PILOT REPORT IS MANDATORY. WHEN EMAIL IS NOT AVBL A PILOT REPORT CAN BE MADE TO LOCAL ATC BY RADIO OR AIRPORT AUTHORITY. ALSO, CAA-NL STATES THE PITOT TUBE SHOULD BE cHECKED CAREFULLY BEFORE AND AFTER EACH FLIGHT AND ALSO INCREASED MONITORING OF FLIGHT SPEED AND HEIGHT INDICATION AND WINDSCREEN TRANSPARENCY DURING FLIGHT IN THE RISK AREA. POLICE, SAR AND HEMS FLIGHTS ARE EXEMPTED. SFC/FL245. 19 APR 06:10 2010 UNTIL 19 APR 18:00 2010 ESTIMATED. CREATED: 19 APR 06:12 2010

[Acid-drop]

It's typical of the russian to do the opposite of the rest of the world.
It's their pride:)
So far, all flights showed everything looks ok ...

[Desert Rat]

It's typical of the russian to do the opposite of the rest of the world.
It's their pride:)
So far, all flights showed everything looks ok ...

Or may be that the IL76 engines can "swallow" anything they want...

[Propwash]

Or may be that the IL76 engines can "swallow" anything they want...

Yeh, Il76 vacuum cleaners eat everything

That's why the Il76 is called Candid.

[LAGPanoramic]

Or may be that the IL76 engines can "swallow" anything they want...

finally some humor in this topic

For the non professional readers: what does "VFR" means (althoug I already deducted that it's something like small propellers flights or so)

And than something that I wondered: can someone give us the "fleet" situation of the Belgian carriers? How many planes are stuck abroad? I heard on TV news that JetAirFly has at least 1 plane making shifts between Egypt and Spain... I heard a tourist which plane from Cuba was diverted to Spain, so that will be a JAF 767?

And what about SN and Thomas Coock? Where are SN's A330's? Given that the closure started in the afternoon, I guess that at least 3 A330 must have been underway to Africa at that time...

[tolipanebas]

Why do cars, vans, coaches, trucks, diesel trains, boats have to pay taxes on fuel, but planes don't have to??

That's a big help enough in my opinion...

There's no VAT on the fuel of planes on INTERNATIONAL flights, because airlines are charged significant sums for overflight rights by each country they pass through. Just ask anybody in the know how much the Russians charge for instance to overfly Siberia on the way to Japan! You'd be stunned, as you could buy an SUV with that fee alone! If airlines would pay VAT on the fuel used as well, they'd be in fact paying taxes TWICE on the same journey, once at the country of origin where they've uploaded the fuel, as well as at each place they overfly. Double taxation is something not commonly seen indeed in international trade, so that's why an INTERNATIONAL treaty makes aviation fuels for international flights VAT free. Makes perfect sense.

Anyway, some sort of financial package will have to be agreed too by the EU, it's only logical.

If farmers get compensation because the weather ruins their harvest, or car plants get billions in subsidies just cause they'd otherwise close shop due to the financial crisis, the most labour intensive sector of the EU economy (yes, that's right!) can not be let to go under, just because aviation has been the preferred experimental test case of the EU when it comes to fully liberalizing the internal market.

Supposing the Russian have the same info as we have and they decide to fly does NOT prove the model is wrong, or is it?

It doesn't?

If the model says Moscow has been covered by the ash cloud too, yet the Russians have operated normally all throughout this period and have not reported any problem whatsoever, to me that shows just how non-telling this model is as it doesn't differentiate between density at all, which obviously is the all important thing really.

As you know for yourself, there's a huge difference between living right next to a chimney of a chemical factory and living at 25 km from it. Same here. Ash particles from a volcano in Iceland will ultimately go around the world even, but they will have spread out! If they wouldn't, then the area on the maps you're staring at would be limited to just a very narrow long stretched band, rather than an ever widening cone you see now. You can't have it both ways, now, can you?
Equally high concentrations throughout an ever widening area as you go further away from the source... Unless you have hidden volcano's en route pumping in additional ash at regular intervals....

Strange situation now: LED is fully operational and without problems, whereas HEL and TLL are both closed long time, yet you can almost see Russia when you're above HEL/TLL at a couple of thousand feet, so clearly somebody is having it all wrong here.... I know who I'd put my money on.

[Propwash]

VFR means Visual Flight Rules.

Short cut, see wikipedia and Visual Meteorological Conditions (VMC)