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09/05/2013
easyJet To Conduct Ash Cloud Experiment
Luton-based airline easyJet has flown a tonne of volcanic ash from Iceland as part of an experiment to test an aircraft warning system.
The volcanic ash was collected by the Institute of Earth Sciences in Reykjavik and dried to create the consistency of fine talc.
It will be used in a "unique experiment" which is planned for this summer.
The testing will involve two Airbus test planes, one of which will disperse the ash into the atmosphere to create an artificial ash cloud.
The second will then use AVOID technology to detect and avoid the ash at over 30,000ft.
The AVOID system has been described as "a weather radar for ash".
Created by Dr Fred Prata, Chief Technology Officer at Nicarnica Aviation, the system uses infrared technology to supply images to pilots and the control centre.
These images enable pilots to see ash cloud up to 100 km ahead of the aircraft and at altitudes between 5,000ft and 50,000ft, allowing them to make small adjustments to avoid any ash cloud.
On the ground, information from aircraft with AVOID technology is used to build an image of the volcanic ash cloud using real time data.
The experiment is expected to be conducted in August.
Ian Davies, easyJet's Engineering Director, commented: "The threat from Icelandic volcanoes continues and so finalising the approval of the AVOID technology is as crucial now as ever to ensure we never again see the scenes of spring 2010 when all flying ceased for several days.
"Transporting a tonne of volcanic ash from Iceland is an important step in the final journey of testing the technology and moving towards commercial certification."
Dr Fred Prata, inventor of the AVOID technology, remarked: "This is the perfect science experiment. We will know exactly how much ash we have placed in the atmosphere, and also its concentration and composition. AVOID will then measure it and demonstrate the technology."
Manfred Birnfeld, Senior flight Test Engineer for Airbus, added: "We are all working towards reducing the impact of volcanic ash clouds, and the technology being developed in AVOID could prove valuable in identifying airspace free of ash contamination and provide data for pilots and airlines on the precise localisation of ash clouds.
"This is why Airbus is supporting the development of AVOID and we hope this system will contribute towards three dimensional, dynamic mapping tools to allow the airlines to take necessary decisions for a safe flight under the full knowledge of current location of ash clouds."
(IT/CD)
The volcanic ash was collected by the Institute of Earth Sciences in Reykjavik and dried to create the consistency of fine talc.
It will be used in a "unique experiment" which is planned for this summer.
The testing will involve two Airbus test planes, one of which will disperse the ash into the atmosphere to create an artificial ash cloud.
The second will then use AVOID technology to detect and avoid the ash at over 30,000ft.
The AVOID system has been described as "a weather radar for ash".
Created by Dr Fred Prata, Chief Technology Officer at Nicarnica Aviation, the system uses infrared technology to supply images to pilots and the control centre.
These images enable pilots to see ash cloud up to 100 km ahead of the aircraft and at altitudes between 5,000ft and 50,000ft, allowing them to make small adjustments to avoid any ash cloud.
On the ground, information from aircraft with AVOID technology is used to build an image of the volcanic ash cloud using real time data.
The experiment is expected to be conducted in August.
Ian Davies, easyJet's Engineering Director, commented: "The threat from Icelandic volcanoes continues and so finalising the approval of the AVOID technology is as crucial now as ever to ensure we never again see the scenes of spring 2010 when all flying ceased for several days.
"Transporting a tonne of volcanic ash from Iceland is an important step in the final journey of testing the technology and moving towards commercial certification."
Dr Fred Prata, inventor of the AVOID technology, remarked: "This is the perfect science experiment. We will know exactly how much ash we have placed in the atmosphere, and also its concentration and composition. AVOID will then measure it and demonstrate the technology."
Manfred Birnfeld, Senior flight Test Engineer for Airbus, added: "We are all working towards reducing the impact of volcanic ash clouds, and the technology being developed in AVOID could prove valuable in identifying airspace free of ash contamination and provide data for pilots and airlines on the precise localisation of ash clouds.
"This is why Airbus is supporting the development of AVOID and we hope this system will contribute towards three dimensional, dynamic mapping tools to allow the airlines to take necessary decisions for a safe flight under the full knowledge of current location of ash clouds."
(IT/CD)
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11 May 2010
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Airports across the UK have reopened after the latest disruption to airspace caused by volcanic ash. The ash cloud moved west overnight and has cleared UK airspace, air traffic control body Nats said. Airspace over Scotland and Northern Ireland was shut overnight after levels of volcanic ash had made it too unsafe to fly.
20 April 2010
Airports Stay Closed Amid New Ash Cloud
Air passengers have been braced for further delays after warnings that a "new ash cloud" was spreading towards the UK as the volcano eruption in Iceland "strengthened". Some domestic flights are taking off in the UK, as airports begin to reopen after five days.
Airports Stay Closed Amid New Ash Cloud
Air passengers have been braced for further delays after warnings that a "new ash cloud" was spreading towards the UK as the volcano eruption in Iceland "strengthened". Some domestic flights are taking off in the UK, as airports begin to reopen after five days.
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Northern Ireland WeatherToday:A dry day with any low cloud and mist clearing during the morning leaving long spells of warm sunshine. Breezy at times around the coast. Maximum temperature 20 °C.Tonight:A fine end to the day with some sunshine, then clear spells overnight. Low cloud could form around some Irish Sea coasts later in the night. Minimum temperature 8 °C.
