AirNav Systems Forum

AirNav Radar => AirNav Radar Discussion => Topic started by: tarbat on May 23, 2011, 03:07:46 PM

Title: Volcanic ash cloud - UK shutdown begins
Post by: tarbat on May 23, 2011, 03:07:46 PM
LOGANAIR (http://www.loganair.co.uk/loganair/press-office/111/travel-advice-for-23-/-24-may) PRESS RELEASE

For tomorrow, Tuesday 24 May, the volcanic ash forecasts issued by the Met Office this afternoon indicate that a high density of ash will be present in large parts of Scottish airspace.

As a result of this, we have taken the decision to cancel all services with the exception of our inter-isles flights in Orkney.  All flights due to depart between 06:00 and 13:00 hrs tomorrow have therefore been cancelled.

Volcanic Ash Advisories at http://www.metoffice.gov.uk/aviation/vaac/vaacuk_vag.html
(http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3071/5751277764_4d2f8f211d_m_d.jpg) (http://www.flickr.com/photos/tarbat/5751277764/sizes/o/in/photostream/)
Title: Re: Volcanic ash cloud - UK shutdown begins
Post by: johnboy on May 23, 2011, 03:35:38 PM
Here we go again.
Title: Re: Volcanic ash cloud - UK shutdown begins
Post by: Aerotower on May 23, 2011, 05:49:23 PM
Best for me, it may take more planes and unique: D
Title: Re: Volcanic ash cloud - UK shutdown begins
Post by: bratters on May 23, 2011, 07:03:10 PM
Let's hope it's not as disruptive as last time though it promises to be a touch quiet for Tarbat and his mates beyond the wall.

On a personal note I flew in to UK yesterday evening and am not due out again for a couple of weeks.  Lucky boy methinks.
Title: Re: Volcanic ash cloud - UK shutdown begins
Post by: tarbat on May 23, 2011, 08:11:07 PM
On top of everything, we lost power for a couple of hours, and the telephone network was down as well.  And 100mph winds.  What happened to spring!!
Title: Re: Volcanic ash cloud - UK shutdown begins
Post by: tarbat on May 24, 2011, 06:13:56 AM
Quote from: bratters on May 23, 2011, 07:03:10 PM
Let's hope it's not as disruptive as last time though it promises to be a touch quiet for Tarbat and his mates beyond the wall.

:( In the "lawless lands" north of the Wall:

(http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5181/5754020984_66aebb257e_o_d.png)

Thankfully the ships are still active :)

(http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2346/5753484605_669a56e4c1_m_d.jpg) (http://www.flickr.com/photos/tarbat/5753484605/sizes/o/in/photostream/)
Title: Re: Volcanic ash cloud - UK shutdown begins
Post by: smcm on May 24, 2011, 08:16:42 AM
Kirkwall (EGPA) Tower reporting visibility 4000m in rain shower and volcanic ash and difficult to see out the tower windows!

Met office reporting "Medium" concentration of ash but local ATC reckon "High"

Loganair Islander, LOG 322, en route from Westray to Kirkwall is still airborne but monitoring weather updates.

Title: Re: Volcanic ash cloud - UK shutdown begins
Post by: smcm on May 24, 2011, 08:20:14 AM
Latest ATC met report, now 2500m visibility in rain and ash with ash concentration "Medium"
Title: Re: Volcanic ash cloud - UK shutdown begins
Post by: orkney on May 24, 2011, 09:01:32 AM
Hello

The windows and cars etc are covered with ashes here as well. I went along the clothes line with the toilet roll this time as well and would say it is the amount on it is the same if not more than Eyjafjallajökull.

Andrew
Title: Re: Volcanic ash cloud - UK shutdown begins
Post by: smcm on May 24, 2011, 09:42:16 AM
Same here, Andrew.  Lots of ash in the last few showers and windows completely covered now - seems like more than last time.

Looks like the Orkney inter-island service is on hold now but tracking Icelandair 520 coming down from the north at 37000 ft
Title: Re: Volcanic ash cloud - UK shutdown begins
Post by: orkney on May 24, 2011, 09:56:50 AM
Hello

ICE502 is following now as well. I am also seeing on the network DLH454 that normally comes over Shetland is going straight up over Norway.

Andrew
Title: Re: Volcanic ash cloud - UK shutdown begins
Post by: tarbat on May 24, 2011, 10:09:02 AM
And BAW9271 seems to be in a hold at FL280 above Aberdeen.
Title: Re: Volcanic ash cloud - UK shutdown begins
Post by: smcm on May 24, 2011, 10:24:00 AM
Didn't renew network subscription after it expired and also antenna is inside loft space now so range reduced a bit - have decided to concentrate more on improving my AIS system.

Lost a bit of interest in RadarBox since AirNav still can't seem to link the Loganair/Flybe routing info to the Flight Id which is quite an important feature up here - particularly as it used to work fine.
Title: Re: Volcanic ash cloud - UK shutdown begins
Post by: tarbat on May 24, 2011, 10:39:06 AM
Half an hour later, and BAW9271 is still circling above Aberdeen.  I can only guess that either they can't land at Glasgow, or BA don't want their plane stranded at Glasgow and are considering landing somewhere else.

Although BA have also said that "As a precaution we will not operate any flights between London and Scotland on Tuesday May 24 that arrive in Scotland before 2pm or depart from Scotland before 2pm."

So, maybe this is a testing flight?

EDIT: They have enough endurance for another hour and a half, awaiting permission to descend into the danger zone.
Title: Re: Volcanic ash cloud - UK shutdown begins
Post by: tarbat on May 24, 2011, 12:47:08 PM
Test flight over by the looks of it.   BAW9271 (G-EUUH) now heading back south.
Title: Re: Volcanic ash cloud - UK shutdown begins
Post by: imropes on May 24, 2011, 02:23:15 PM
Just seen FIE and Z at 360 Iceland bound going through the ash. Does not seem to worry them.
Title: Re: Volcanic ash cloud - UK shutdown begins
Post by: tommyg on May 24, 2011, 04:19:12 PM
BA9271 was checking the ash cloud. It was sent up with measuring equipment, hence the orbitting over Scotland.
For info, the ash is measured from surface to FL200, FL200 upto FL350, and from FL350 up to FL550, depending on the the amount/size of ash at those levels, governs whether aircraft can fly, so thats why you may see flights above FL350 and not below.
Title: Re: Volcanic ash cloud - UK shutdown begins
Post by: Roland28 on May 24, 2011, 07:17:18 PM
I'm in Leeds and I have just picked up test flight BAW9271 which seems to be enroute from Newcastle to Heathrow.