Here's what you will see when you visit the London VAAC from this link:
http://www.metoffice.gov.uk/aviation/vaac/vaacuk_vag.html
This is a recreation of what Speedbird 9 encountered in 1982 while flying over Indian Ocean.
This picture is found on the website sent in by reader "Mark."
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/British_Airways_Flight_9
Well it looks like Volcanic ash is on top of the list for headline news this week.
Some things I know:
When I worked as a forecaster there were about nine meteorological events we would issue a SIGMET for (area of thunderstorms, line of thunderstorms, freezing rain, severe icing, severe turbulence, LLWS (low level wind shear), widespread dust or sandstorms, hurricanes and the ninth one was for volcanic ash. All of the above phenomena required a SIGMET for four hours but for volcanic ash it lasted eight hours.
There are nine VAACs (Volcanic Ash Advisory Centres) scattered across the globe. Montreal (CMC Canadian Meteorological Center) looks after Canada and the Northern Atlantic to just west of Iceland. Anchorage looks after our Pacific flights and the London VAAC is entrenched with Iceland's situation.
I've flown internationally for ten years so I figure I've been to Europe 120-150 times which translates into 240-300 crossings. Let alone all the longhaul stuff to Asia. Volcanic ash never seemed to be an issue. When things were acting up flight dispatch planned us well around any area of concern. So why all the fuss? Well, that will be one of the questions maybe asked tomorrow morning at The Weather Network with Chris St. Clair. I met Chris at an aviation safety seminar this winter in Toronto. He put on a great presentation about a virtual winter storm.
Here's some of the questions he has conjured up:
1. First, what is in the ejectate that is of danger to aircraft? What damage could it do? (Citing BA 9 Indonesia 1982)
2. How does it become so widespread in the atmosphere and how long might it linger?
3. How long could the airspace be closed?
4. Why is this one of the worse possible locations for this to occur? (N/A tracks)
5. Why can't flights fly further south to get to Europe?
2. How does it become so widespread in the atmosphere and how long might it linger?
3. How long could the airspace be closed?
4. Why is this one of the worse possible locations for this to occur? (N/A tracks)
5. Why can't flights fly further south to get to Europe?
Wish me luck.
*****************************************************************************************
NEW!
Follower Nadia sent me TWN's link (my interview)
http://www.theweathernetwork.com/news/storm_watch_stories3&stormfile=CdnFlights_AprSeventeen_01_01_2008?ref=ccbox_homepage_top_title
35 comments:
Good luck Doug! What time will you be on TWN? I'll be watching.
By the way, I started circuits last weekend. It just gets better and better. I love it. I fly again this Sunday afternoon, unless of course the Icelandic volcanic ash takes a turn for North America.
See you on the tube tomorrow.
Mark
Thanks Mark. It's going to be taped (not live thankfully) and it should be aired later tomorrow morning and then maybe a few days thereafter.
I just checked for Volcanic Ash SIGMETS for Canada. You're good to go.
Doug
Good luck Doug
Bonne journée
Nadia
Merci Nadia.
My sister in Ancaster will be looking out for you on the "telly"!
Best of British to you Skipper! You'll be as you North Americans say awesome!
Cheers, Ian
- The Flying Scotsman just arrived in Scotland - standby for further information.
Ian. I'll say "hi" to sis. Sitting here an hour before show time all dressed up and no where to go. Time for a 'perk me up' coffee.
Doug
Ian said...
The latest from Eurocontrol -
NATS ATICCC UPDATE - URGENT
------------------
.
LONDON FIR/UIR REMAINS ZERO RATE UNTIL 2359 UTC TODAY, 17 APRIL
2010. SCOTTISH FIR/UIR IS NOW ALSO ZERO RATE UNTIL 2359 UTC ON
17 APRIL. SCOTTISH DOMESTIC FLIGHTS INCLUDING NORTHERN IRELAND
MAY BE AVAILABLE SUBJECT TO INDIVIDUAL COORDINATION WITH UK FMP.
CAUTION - CURRENT FORECASTS INDICATE THE SITUATION IS CHANGING
THROUGH THE DAY AND DIVERSION AIRFIELDS MAY BE A SIGNIFICANT
DISTANCE FROM THE ORIGINAL DESTINATION.
.
UPDATE - THERE IS A SMALL WINDOW OF OPPORTUNITY BETWEEN NOW AND
1200 UTC FOR WESTBOUND DEPARTURES FROM THE SCOTTISH FIR. THESE
MUST BE COORDINATED AND AGREED THROUGH UK FMP, ALL FLIGHTS MUST
BE AIRBORNE BY 1200 UTC.
.
FMD BRUSSELS ON BEHALF OF LONDON FMP
Doug:
I can't get onto my blog for some reason. So here is the latest for anyone interested - just passed by Ops - below.
BTW, I don't about AC, but we're being told to expect the unexpected and that it'll take up to 11 days to get back to normal ops.
VOLCANIC ASH VA CLOUD, ORIGINATING IN ICELAND IS HAVING A MAJOR
IMPACT AFFECTING UK AIRSPACE. SCOTTISH AND LONDON FIR/UIR AREAS
AFFECTED, BASED ON A PROJECTION FROM THE VOLCANIC ASH ADVISORY
MESSAGE IS AS FOLLOWS:
171200 LINE NORTH OF 5943N 10000W, 5929N 00056E AND A LINE SOUTH OF
5752N 00340E, 5348N 00530W 171800 LINE NORTH OF 5905N 01000W, 5926N
00101E AND A LINE SOUTH OF 5533N 00500E, 5358N 00033W, 5420N 00305W,
5344N 00530W 180000 LINE NORTH OF 5947N 01000W, 5952N 00341E AND A
LINE SOUTH OF 5527N 00500E, 5423N 00432W, 5359N 00549W OPR SHOULD
REFER TO LATEST VA ADVISORY FROM UK MET OFFICE VAAC. IN ACCORDANCE WITH ICAO VOLCANIC ASH CONTINGENCY
PLAN, NO IFR CLEARANCE WILL BE ISSUED FOR PENETRATION OF THE
FORECAST CONTAMINATED AREA WI UK AIRSPACE.
LONDON FIR/UIR REMAINS ZERO RATE UNTIL 2359 APR 17. SCOTTISH FIR/UIR
IS NOW ALSO ZERO RATE UNTIL 2359. ENDS
Captain Doug, I just saw the Weather Network report. You did a fine job and you were so relaxed on television. Well done!
And Chris St Clair plugged your book! Bonus!
Hey Doug,
I have seen you now twice on TWN!!! They will probably be playing the interview several times.
You spoke very well, and did great!
Congrats
Mark
Capt. Doug,
Just saw you on TWN and you did a fantastic job. IMHO Chris does the greatest job on there, and having him plug your book the entire time is a great thing!
I wish more media outlets would take the time to get someone with experience to explain these types of irregular events iso getting a 'talking head' that doesn't explain an event properly.
Congrats!
YYC Dispatcher
"Johnny Foreigners" like me can't see the eloquent Skipper in action - is it possible to post it onto Youtube? Rave reviews Doug!
BTW - YYC Dispatcher - Calgary made the headlines in Scotland with Abderdeen Airport being lined up for their first ever TransAtlantic diversion from your fine city...
Complete chaos here - forecasting EGPX may open at 0001Z for eastbound oceanic and that mean westbound strategic services will be on operated, likely empty, with additional crews as needed deadheading.
NATS (UK National Air Traffic Services) update in 55 mins.
As of now, no BA services tomorrow operating - apart from the potentials over the Pond to get the PAX moving.
Incredible stuff.
Ian
Hi Doug ..
I though todays material went really well and looked good on t.v. - We've "spiced up" the second version with added visuals of LHR & KEF for use on Sunday.
For landing in an unusual situation - you came off just great - we'll have to do more of this ..
Cheers to the rest of your weekend - and safe travels!
Thanks for watching Giulia. Hopefully, you may see more of me on TWN in the future. After the interview, the 'boss' had me cutting stone and cementing slabs of natural stone. With the odd light snow shower passing through and strong winds, it was not enjoyable. I'm still frozen.
Doug
Mark. Thanks for watching and the kind words. You'll probably see excerpts of my interview for the next few days. If you watch lots of TWN you'll soon be sick of me. :)
YYC dispatcher. Thanks for watching. Speaking of 'talking heads' Chris and I had that very discussion. He said TWN needed an aviation consultant. He said he will be going to bat for me. Stay tuned.
Doug
Ian. As mentioned in my interview, they haven't closed European airspace like this since WW II. Mother Nature is certainly playing hard ball. I don't know about Youtube. I should have asked for a DVD. Next time. Doug
Chris. Thanks for having me. You do a great job putting one at ease. The offer is still open for some simulator filming. I think the public would eat it up.
Again, thanks for the opportunity and I'll be looking to buy for YOUR book.
Doug
Ha ha...aw Doug, the wife's just "keeping it real". You come home with "lights-camera-action" in your eyes and she hands you your "Emmy" (a shovel).
Someone has to keep your feet on the ground. :-)
I hope that things work out with TWN.
And Chris St Clair on this blog?! How cool is that?
Giulia
Yes, it was back to reality. My stardom short lived. :)
Chris is a great guy. In fact, he is a Maritimer from Halifax like me.
TWN is literally two minutes away so it would be neat to have a connection.
Day seven tomorrow. I'm looking forward to going back to work on Tuesday. I have a long layover in St. John's although I see the 'rock' was getting snow today.
Doug
Look forward to seeing the spiced up second version.
TWN is one oy my favourite channels. Gotta know the weather before I go fly. Correction; it's one of my favourite channels if the weather forecast is good!
Good Luck, I heard about your blog on airplane geeks podcast and decided to follow up on your blog since weather and air travel go hand in hand 99% of the time. Thanks for all the wonderful posts here.
Bonjour Doug,
For those who don't have a weather network here is the link (I hope
is ok)
http://www.theweathernetwork.com/news/
storm_watch_stories3&stormfile=CdnFlights
_AprSeventeen_01_01_2008?
ref=ccbox_homepage_top_title
You're a star now:)
Nadia
If the link don't work use
www.weathernetwork.com/news
and click Canadian flights affected
Nadia. Thanks for going out of your way to find the link. Much appreciated! I added the link to my post. I almost looked like I knew what I was talking about. :)
rsfjustin. Welcome aboard! Thanks for your posts and keep them coming. Captain Doug
Thanks, Nadia, for the link! :-)
Hi Doug,
I just have to add my voice to the list of admirers and fans! Well done! I was searching last night for the footage, but couldn't find it on the TWN website - but found it easily today.
Just curious - are you allowed to wear your AC uniform, or did you choose civvies on purpose? I saw some footage of another pilot yesterday on TWN - he was wearing a uniform.
Jack
Great interview, Doug! Loved it!
"Merci boucoup" to Nadia for the link!
Tim
Jack. I guess I could have worn my uniform, but in theory I should get permission. Having said that, I figure I represent Air Canada every month in enRoute, they gave me the green light to write a book plus the PR department calls me for PR requests so I assume it would be okay. But if this becomes a regular gig, I'll probably wear my uniform.
Good question though. Yes,I know of the other pilot in uniform. I won't comment any further.
I just received a request for another speech after my talk two weeks ago. Jack you were mentioning about going on the road with this. I think I should be charging a small fee, but it's difficult to ask. Any words of wisdom?
Doug
Doug: You did a grand job on the telly - everyone here (thanks to your link) thought you could have been a professional broadcaster.
Things go from bad to worse here. We undertook a test flight in UK Airspace last flight with 4 crew members and our CEO on a B747-400 and it landed at our longhaul maintenance base in Cardiff. A full inspection of the aeroplane overnight apparently led to nothing unusual being reported.
Conversely, there are stories now coming in of an F-16 fighter having flown in the skies of glass in its engines which has caused more than a little concern in the airlines.
I am back home now and others have taken my place in case EGPX opens - but the latest I have seen is the tip of the ash fallout is now right on Newfoundland and "pond" operations are very doubtful.
Latest from our Ops - not expecting now for a flying programme until Wednesday night at the earliest as UK Airspace is now closed again until 0100 tomorrow.
I hope all is well - and I would ask for a small fee by virtue of the fact you have to do research, spend time boning up on topics and of course, you are now famous!
Cheers: Grounded Ian :(
Grounded Ian. Thanks for the inside scoop. Sadly, it doesn't look good. A day in aviation is huge on the time scale, but for mother nature and seismic activity, it's a blip on the radar.
I will be back flying tomorrow after three weeks. I'm off to the "rock" for a long layover. Looking forward to it. It's day eight for my masonry job. I forgot mortar has sand in it (talking about abrasive things like volcanic ash)and has done a number on my fingertips. To go through security we use a finger print scan. I'm certain I'll have to resort to the eye scan because my fingerprints are worn off. Apparently it's a common occurrence for pilots after working around the home. That's going to be my excuse, "sorry, can't do any more excruciating labourious tasks because of security reasons." :)
Let's hope things will get resolved quickly.
Doug the labourer
P.S Hopefully, Chris St. Clair from TWN will see all the great comments you and the others have sent. Thanks everyone!
Well, add me to the list. Great interview Doug! Nice to finally put a voice to the face. ;)
Post a Comment