Volcanic Ash flight disruptions June 2011

[LiamR]

Apparently, QF are in talks as we speak, expect an announcement within an hour or two.

Edit:

Scratch that... According to their Facebook:

Qantas
Latest update: Unfortunately flights to/from Adelaide and Port Lincoln have been cancelled tomorrow between 6.30am and 2.00pm local time due to volcanic ash. We will have more updates tomorrow morning

 

[straitman]

PPRuNe has a thread about 4 Virgin aircraft being grounded for boroscope inspection due to suspected ash damage.Possibly an urban myth but I wouldn't want to be in Virgins shoes if it turns out to be true and damage is found.CheersN'oz

Just a reminder for those who may have forgotten or do not know. PPRuNe does stand for Professional Pilot's Rumour Network and that a fair degree of skepticism needs to be added to anything that you read.

 

[Nigelinoz]

Just a reminder for those who may have forgotten or do not know. PPRuNe does stand for Professional Pilot's Rumour Network and that a fair degree of skepticism needs to be added to anything that you read.

Absolutely,and it's probably fair to note this contribution-

Ok. Just went down to the engineering hut in MEL and asked. Complete bullocks. One aircraft had what looked like some evidence but turned out just bugs and normal dust.

so does appear to be an urban myth,which as Bill rightly points out is a common occurrence on that forum.
Cheers
N'oz
Also just a note to add this from Jetstar.

• Adelaide: all flights to/from Adelaide have been suspended for the morning of Tuesday June 21

 

[shambles]

pooo.. being stuck in NZ last week was a rough prospect, now I'm in Adelaide and looks like I may be stuck here as well


At least in NZ, 7/11 doesn't close at 9.30pm

When I was in the RAAF I lived in Adelaide for 2 years - ran out of things to do after the 1st weekend

 

[medhead]

At least in NZ, 7/11 doesn't close at 9.30pm

When I was in the RAAF I lived in Adelaide for 2 years - ran out of things to do after the 1st weekend

that must have been a while ago. 7/11 is open until 10 now.

 

[Austman]

Looks like Adelaide and now Sydney tomorrow!

Volcanic Ash Graphics

 

[attood]

Qantas just announced SYD flights cancelled from 3pm today 

 

[Mrmaxwell]

Looks like Adelaide and now Sydney tomorrow!

Volcanic Ash Graphics

Qantas just announced SYD flights cancelled from 3pm today 

That is one big ash cloud...

 

[markis10]

Looks like MEL may join ADL, CBR and SYD, surprised at this stage that BNE-MEL is operating:

• All flights to and from Canberra will be cancelled from 12.00 pm.
• All domestic flights to and from Sydney will be cancelled from 3.00 pm.
• International services to and from Sydney are currently under review. QF1 Sydney Bangkok London; QF5 Sydney Singapore Frankfurt and QF31 Sydney Singapore London will all depart from Sydney at 1415 today.
• It is possible that Melbourne may also be affected at some time today; times are still to be confirmed.
• Johannesburg destined services will operate with a refuelling stop in Perth until further notice.
• Buenos Aires services destined for Sydney may be subject to a refuelling stop in Papeete until further notice.

 

[medhead]

Just read this about the VAAC Darwin from The Australian. Rather interesting and maybe answers some of the questions that I have had about this stuff.

Volcanic ash density on radar but over horizon | The Australian

QANTAS may have to wait some time before there is technology available to accurately measure the density of volcanic ash, according to Darwin Volcanic Ash Advisory Centre head Andrew Tupper.

The VAAC, part of the Bureau of Meteorology and one of nine centres around the world set up in 1993 to advise airlines about the movement and location of ash clouds, played a crucial role as ash cast a pall over Australia and disrupted the travel plans of tens of thousands of Australians

BTW: anyone in Sydney got a spare bed for tomorrow night?

 

[jb747]

With regard to pprune. My guess is that about 5% of posters are what they purport to be. That 5% can write some interesting things, but finding it can be a chore. The closest most have been to an aircraft is MS Flight Sim.

As I've said elsewhere, I'd expect electronics glitches in aircraft before engine problems started showing up. So, I don't believe the DJ story....but, on the same token, I'd really hope they have more than an engineering hut. So, both the original story, and the one refuting it, sound suss.

 

[Danger]

I'm using the usual 131313 number to change flights for a friend booked CBR-SYD-PER from mid-this afternoon. Immediately after choosing the option for domestic bookings, then existing bookings, I get disconnected. This has happened about six times already.

 

[serfty]

Here's the latest prediction - certainly SYD is gunna cop it as well!

Volcanic Ash Graphics



Here's an animation; as I post it shows the tongue of ash passing over ADL:

BoM-Darwin Volcanic Ash Advisory Centre

 

[samiam]

I'm returning PER-MEL this afternoon. Melbourne is listed as 'pending'. Let's see whether my coin comes up heads or tails

PS- Looking at those maps, interested to hear ideas re how a flight goes from West to East- certainly (and without understanding altitudes and ash cloud levels etc), it doesn't look like the usual routing across SA/Western Victoria could occur?

(Edited as map updated as I typed).

 

[dejium]

I hear you Danger. I spent 2 hours in the phone queue last night without answer.

I was lucky to get out of AKL this morning and have my MEL-ADL-PER changed to a direct flight. Just hoping it holds out for the flight at 1pm.

 

[oz_mark]

...and we hear from CASA (Civil Aviation Safety Authority - Greater safety oversight during volcanic ash cloud)

Australia's aviation operations are under greater than normal safety oversight during the passage of the latest volcanic ash clouds.


The Civil Aviation Safety Authority is working to ensure airlines are following the correct procedures when making decisions on flights while the volcanic ash clouds pass.


CASA is also working closely with other government agencies such as Airservices Australia and the Bureau of Meteorology to provide airlines with the information and support they require.


A notice to pilots and air operators was issued by CASA on Monday 20 June 2011 warning about the volcanic ash clouds.

(I wonder why they did that now?)

 

[jb747]

That translates as...."we are not going to provide any control, but having warned everybody, we'll be looking doubly hard for things that we can hang you on".

 

[Kendall Roy]

Latest map is out from BOM

Volcanic Ash Graphics

I would rule out CBR/SYD/ADL and possibly MEL tomorrow morning based on 1800Z time predictions.

 

[oz_mark]

That translates as...."we are not going to provide any control, but having warned everybody, we'll be looking doubly hard for things that we can hang you on".

Ahh. a CASA covering its butt exercise.

 

[medhead]

Latest map is out from BOM

Volcanic Ash Graphics

I would rule out CBR/SYD/ADL and possibly MEL tomorrow morning based on 1800Z time predictions.

It's a bit different from the previous version. What does the dotted line mean?

Edit: I need to learn to read. Different altitudes!