Flights at UK airports grounded

[LPL]

Apr 17, 2010 8:21:48 GMT 1 stu said:

One thing I can't get my head round is if its high level ash, why can't turboprops fly? Airlines like FlyBe must be going bananas!

Because it eventually falls to the earth.

[tonyspeke]

The dust is far more visible on the horizon today than it has been previously.

[Biggles]

Regarding the ban, I see that the scientist have stated today that the problem volcano is going to intensify its discharge. I wonder in view of that, which person in NATS or in any Government department will be brave enough to sign off this ban and put their name to putting airliners back into the air ? In these days of litigation can you imagine the ambulance chasers who will come out of the woodwork should an airliner come down with a hint of volcanic ash being the cause !

Whilst on the subject I see today that the company NERC which operates the DO228 c/s Science 01 which was mentioned passing Liverpool last week is the aircraft flying up and down the UK testing the air contamination

[sfp]

Stated by NATS this morning that UK airspace will stay closed until 01.00 hrs Monday (at best), excepting for emergency flights.

Presumably light aircraft that fly at low level are still receiving clearance, but not sure on that point.

[Biggles]

There is a full list of ccountries and the time restrictions which apply to each of them, printed on the internet news today, one amusing one caught my eye.

"Poland: Airspace closed Sunday. Overflights permitted above 20,000 feet (6,100 meters)."

So you can basically Wizz over Poland I guess, but from and too where ?

[superian]

As reported on Sky news "Latest test flights by both KLM and Lufthansa have shown NO damage to aircraft windows, fuselage or engines."
Ian.

[richardheywood]

VFR clearances not a problem at all. I flew up to Liverpool this morning from Shoreham in a straight line. Brilliant! Overhead Farnborough, Benson, Kidlington, Stratford-upon-Avon and on to Oulton Park. 2,300 ft as far as Reading and then 3,300 ft. No problem with clearance through the Birmingham zone. I could see a thin layer of what may have been ash about 1000ft above me, but I am no expert. I know that if you fly too close you get a nasty smell in the cockpit, so I kept opening the window and having a sniff. Nothing. Aircraft just as clean on landing as it was on take off. Whilst there were no IFR flights, there was no shortage of VFR traffic, including a 757 going into Lasham. I am going back on Thursday. If things are back to normal then, I wonder if I will be able to have the same straightforward trip. This situation is just surreal.

[G-PHIL]

All Ryanair flights canceled until 13.00pm on Wednesday.


Phil

[owensy]

I have BAW9156 B747 just off at LHR FL100 heading west

[Beemer]

According to the news, BA are sending a 747 up with experts on board to test the water so to speak. That must be the one that owensy has picked up.

[owensy]

FYI its G-CIVC at FL250 heading out towards St.Davids on the South West Coast of Wales

[superian]

BBC News reported it as going to cardiff.
Ian.

[owensy]

Its been out over the atlantic and now heading back towards the west coast of Ireland at FL400

[superian]

BBC now reporting that 2 x F-16's have damaged engines after test flights.
Ian.

ps. can't believe I'm off work for a couple of weeks and all airports are closed........
Ian.

[midland500]

Glimmer of hope that airspace will re-open tomorrow according to sky news.

Hopefully things will start to get back to normal wed afternoon if rest of europe opens as well.