The Big Volcanic Ash from Iceland Thread

Let the recriminations begin!

...a strange decision by FR and MOL...

We'll only really know if/when we see the cancellations for engine replacement/service.

This thread started in August:
http://www.pprune.org/tech-log/386235-met-office-not-fit-purpose.html

So nothing new that some have no confidence in Met Office.

Here's hoping you reach the wonderful Barbados tomorrow

Thank you, dear lady. We'll certainly do our very best.

Slink - if everything comes off as planned today and tomorrow, I'll be forgoing the Smarties or M&Ms and will be throwing black Périgord truffles at Tizer instead (they sell that sort of thing in LGW duty free, right?).

A quick scroll down this shows that many airlines are letting others make the "test flights".

At least airlines and engine manufacturers will get the data needed for future decisions.

[Neil]

A quick scroll down this shows that many airlines are letting others make the "test flights".

Does that not just show the reality of it taking time for things to get back to normal. BA still aren't operating short haul flights, and I imagine a lot of European carriers doing short haul to/from the UK will need a day or so to react to the sudden opening of the UK air space.

A quick scroll down this shows that many airlines are letting others make the "test flights".

Does that not just show the reality of it taking time for things to get back to normal. BA still aren't operating short haul flights, and I imagine a lot of European carriers doing short haul to/from the UK will need a day or so to react to the sudden opening of the UK air space.

Many of these cancellations are long haul.

VS had the same problems reacting to the announcement timing yet have most flights in the air.

We have yet to see the effect that reports such as

Thomas Cook TCX952P registration G-JMCF (Boeing 757-28A) just made a u-turn to Manchester, it was out over the North Sea off Nofolk/Suffolk, it reported to London and Manchester Control it had an engine bleed problem after an 'intense smell of volcanic ash in the cabin during the climb between FL160 and FL200.

whether true or not, will have on the numbers wishing to fly at this time.

Another misjudgement from O'Leary? He's cancelled UK flights till Thursday...

Wonder what contact FR staff are on ?|

[Neil]

Many of these cancellations are long haul.

VS had the same problems reacting to the announcement timing yet have most flights in the air.

Yes. but most are from non UK based carriers, who almost certainly won't have a/c already on the ground in the UK like VS did to suddenly start full service. Also with the restrictions lifted so late and so suddenly they could well have had a/c which would normally operate the UK flights planned on other routes rather than just sat on the ground.

I think we will start to such more more normal service resumed tomorrow.

Did VXLG make it out to MCO last night?
No sign of
VS016 MCO-LGW G-VXLG 20/04 19/04 18:41 21/04 02:30 (E) 21/04 02:45 (E) 21/04 15:35 (E) 21/04 15:45 (E)
taking off - or am I mis-reading the status?

[Pete]

Last update is a bit old, so I'd assume that never made it

Last update is a bit old, so I'd assume that never made it

That Status Updates page is really useful, Pete. y)

Is it going to be a permanent feature? - please?
I am hoping it is a potentially live feed and does not require "manual" processing.
How often is it updated and would it be possible to have the last update date/time displayed?

[Neil]

Last update is a bit old, so I'd assume that never made it

That Status Updates page is really useful, Pete. y)

Is it going to be a permanent feature? - please?

I echo that, it is an excellent and very interesting feature y)

We have yet to see the effect that reports such as

Thomas Cook TCX952P registration G-JMCF (Boeing 757-28A) just made a u-turn to Manchester, it was out over the North Sea off Nofolk/Suffolk, it reported to London and Manchester Control it had an engine bleed problem after an 'intense smell of volcanic ash in the cabin during the climb between FL160 and FL200.

whether true or not, will have on the numbers wishing to fly at this time.

Any further update on this ?

We have yet to see the effect that reports such as

Thomas Cook TCX952P registration G-JMCF (Boeing 757-28A) just made a u-turn to Manchester, it was out over the North Sea off Nofolk/Suffolk, it reported to London and Manchester Control it had an engine bleed problem after an 'intense smell of volcanic ash in the cabin during the climb between FL160 and FL200.

whether true or not, will have on the numbers wishing to fly at this time.

Any further update on this ?

Last info. was an expedited return and landing at MAN.

I would guess it may be some time for full checks to be made of engine.
The 757 is known to have engine bleed smells - its the "smell of volcanic ash" report that is interesting - it could just be burning oil though.

Surely though, if there is still some ash in the air it would be more apparent to smell it up there if something was up with the engine and it got sucked in?
I'm not very clued up about technical things like that though so sorry if that's a silly comment!

Surely though, if there is still some ash in the air it would be more apparent to smell it up there if something was up with the engine and it got sucked in?
I'm not very clued up about technical things like that though so sorry if that's a silly comment!

The pressurised air for the cabin actually comes from the engines (more efficient to use an existing big compressor!)
So if there's an oil leak, you can get smells, and indeed smoke, in the cabin - BAe146 is infamous for this.

[Darren Wheeler]

Now that the flights are operating again, can the politicians stop with point scoring? Would the tories really have opened the skies earlier?

[Neil]

Now that the flights are operating again, can the politicians stop with point scoring? Would the tories really have opened the skies earlier?

Who knows, but maybe they would have listened to the advice and facts sooner.

Would the tories really have opened the skies earlier?

No they would not, have nor could they have ordered the CAA too either as they don't have the legal powers too. They could of course change the law in the future but what is the point of having independent regulators if the politicians won't let them regulate within the legal statutes that created them up.

It OK for opposition politicians to say 'we would do this or that' blah blah blah but once in office they are bound by the legal frameworks in place.

There is an interesting article on page 4 of today's Guradian which basically says that the airlines have refused / been reluctant to get involved in previous efforts to set safe limits on volcanic ash.

The article says ICAO has

'.. been trying since at least 2008 to get airlines and manufacturers to help establish a consensus on a safe concentration of volcanic ash

[Pete]

Now that the flights are operating again, can the politicians stop with point scoring? Would the tories really have opened the skies earlier?

Who knows, but maybe they would have listened to the advice and facts sooner.

Neil, no political bandstanding please. You must know by now V-Flyer's political affiliations are with the Monster Raving Loonies.

Hi Katie here - does anyone know what happened to the VS75 from Manchester today. Sopposed to take off at 12:25, 1:45;, 2;45 & we can't find out what the problem is?
We're OK - in the escape lounge since 8am but just in the dark.

Katie ?|

[Neil]

Latest update was at 15:08 and it was for a 16:00 departure, but if you are still in Escape lounge that is looking unlikely. I know the a/c G-VLIP came down from GLA at around 10am today, so maybe they are awaiting crew or there is a problem.

[Pete]

Don't have any reports as to what the problem is, but certain keep seeing the status updates being pushed back.

Now at estimated gate departure of 15:45, takeoff 16:00.

FIngers crossed you'll be off soon (but if you're still in the lounge, I'm thinking 15:45 departure is optimistic)

I am confirmed to fly back tonight on the last AC flight out of Toronto, and my Singapore Airlines flight is still on for Saturday.

Let's hope everyones plans and planes remain in place and everyone gets where they need to be.

Thank You - been told we're defo going today

Katie