V-Flyer

The last time this volcano erupted it lasted for 3 years.......

If the UK Media feel that there is not enough going on with the General Election, they may whip it up again as they did last time (only then to blame Government / Airlines / Tour Operators - indeed anyone but themselves)

buns

Yep - one of my colleagues, who is an SCS at the Met Office, was called into work this morning, now according to his FB status it is all starting again

At the moment, over-flights are not affected.

What are the implications for transatlantic flights from the UK and (parts of) Europe flights?

If they are expecting ash over Ireland then I guess its over the north atlantic now i.e. possibly on the main routes to NYC etc etc. that fly north over England / Scotland thence north west to Iceland and Greenland.

Can they fly south initially to avoid Ireland then divert north?

Or is the ash ok over the north atlantic but somethings casing it to condense over Ireland?

At the time of writing, all that is affected is:

All flights in and out of the Irish Republic

Over-flight from UK and Europe are not affected.

Darren Wheeler wrote:At the time of writing, all that is affected is:

All flights in and out of the Irish Republic

Over-flight from UK and Europe are not affected.

AND the UK (Scotland)

http://news.sky.com/skynews/Home/UK-New ... ud_Returns

The no. 1 is having kittens, I'm in SanFran and he's supposed to come on Thursday ... oh joy!

hackneyguy wrote:AND the UK (Scotland)

Well, at the moment at least, Barra and Benbecula in the Highlands and Islands. It may change tomorrow - and I will be deeply p*ssed off if it does - but at the moment Aberdeen, Prestwick, Glasgow and Edinburgh are not affected.

Hmm, not sure how I feel about things this time around...

Well Aer Lingus have only cancelled their morning flights out of Ireland and are currently saying that all except one US flight are scheduled. They seem to be less draconian in their cancellations that the last time round

Ooh hiya Slinky - from BA Lounge at SFO!

Decker wrote:Ooh hiya Slinky - from BA Lounge at SFO!

Returning home? Weather is fine isn't it. Just popping out for a Pinot here!

NATS have just issued an update.

http://NATS.co.uk

Eyjaf is showing a little more activity lately but nothing compared to the initial stages.

A good source is this on the Icelandic Met Office site.
The Earthquake frequency is very low compared to the early phases - good timelapse shown here.

The Update on Activity is useful as is the Status report.

Additional note: The scientists at Gígjökull experienced discomfort due to gas.

I do hope they soon get some relief

The Vodafone camera is back again.
Quite a bit of ash production.

Just what we need when the winds are turning to carry it down to the UK.

Bill S wrote:Just what we need when the winds are turning to carry it down to the UK.

Not looking too clever for back end of this week,:?

Can see potential stop/ starting of flights if this concentrated band drifts further across..

Maybe mrs NH should hole up for 6 days in New Orleans and meet us in MCO..

As long as Money & Politics don't "cloud" the science part...

Updates have now moved from the NATS site to the CAA site and can be found Here

I have woken to the sound of Iron Birds on approach to BHD this morning. I guess the dust cloud has moved on again.

DocRo wrote:I have woken to the sound of Iron Birds on approach to BHD this morning. I guess the dust cloud has moved on again.

Doesn't iron dissolve in acid?

Not very healthy for Ireland.

The previous days can be selected on the right - shows just how great the current increase is!

Wouldn't the iron form the acid salt (eg iron sulphate or chloride)? Does that count as dissolving? Wouldn't do much good for the plane if it did happen on mass.

Does anyone else get the feeling that the CAA and NATS are trying to pass the buck between them?
Yesterday NATS told you to go to the CAA site and then last night it switched back to NATS.
12 hours till I fly to Malta so I am very glad it all moved west and airspace is all clear now. Ed

Am not a chemist but remembering my exam, yes it would form an acid but it won't be a very strong acid - we're not talking hydrochloric, sulphuric or nitric acid here. It wont even be as strong as the acetic acid in vinegar or citric in lemons.

But is it possible that extensive and prolongued exposure to it could have a long term effect on say engine parts - most likely to an area that is already damaged / weakened.

But with the strict maintenance already in place plus the extra tests being performed by the carriers and engine makers it is very, very, very unlikely that we will see a plane disolving mid-flight

Sorry - my dissolving iron was a TIC remark.

SO2 will form sulphurous acid with water (clouds) but this is then further oxidised (NO2 catalysis) to Sulphuric acid. We are very definitely talking Sulphuric acid

Concentrations are fairly small and looking at the current mapping, have all but disappeared compared to the "Previous 1" SO2 selectable on the link. Not sure if this is a sensor problem or if it depends upon the particular satellite pass. Such concentrations should not just disappear!

Not a direct risk to aircraft in those concentrations and for the small time they are in them.
I'm more concerned for HL and her cat! Sulphuric acid in the lungs is not to be advised.