UK flights/Airports shutdown for up to 3 days
#91
Re: UK flights/Airports shutdown for up to 3 days
#92
Re: UK flights/Airports shutdown for up to 3 days
The few test flights are one thing, but with 20,000+ flights per day passing through the airspace it only takes one to have problems and all bets will be off again.
#93
Banned
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 22,348
Re: UK flights/Airports shutdown for up to 3 days
In other news: Youngest son is growing increasingly distraught that he's going to miss an inset day to Thorpe park next Friday
#94
Home and Happy
Joined: Dec 2002
Location: Keep true friends and puppets close, trust no-one else...
Posts: 93,807
Re: UK flights/Airports shutdown for up to 3 days
I know, I've just told the kids I might not be home, now going to have to organise a birthday party from over here but all his pressies are with me.
Qatar doesn't have a plane in Manchester so if I'm to fly they'll have to have sent one from Doha about 4am UK time so at least I'll be able to check if it's en-route.
Next availability if it's cancelled is Saturday.
Joy!
Qatar doesn't have a plane in Manchester so if I'm to fly they'll have to have sent one from Doha about 4am UK time so at least I'll be able to check if it's en-route.
Next availability if it's cancelled is Saturday.
Joy!
#95
Re: UK flights/Airports shutdown for up to 3 days
Agreed, and rigourous testing/extra precations would be needed. BBC now reporting UK transport sec Lord Adonis says test flights are taking place now & Air France says its first test flights went without problems.
#96
Re: UK flights/Airports shutdown for up to 3 days
I will say it again - the ash concentrations away from the volcano are orders of magnitude lower than within the plume, and probably much the same as exist over much of Indonesia and Borneo: aircraft there have no trouble avoiding the main plumes.
Eric Moody's 747 near disaster involved penetrating the actual plume, or very close to it.
Eric Moody's 747 near disaster involved penetrating the actual plume, or very close to it.
#97
Re: UK flights/Airports shutdown for up to 3 days
God thats pretty awful - hadn't looked at that as I am on a paid ticket this time. I shall lose a fair bit financially if I'm stuck, due to losing shift pay at work, but other than that I really wouldn't mind being stuck here for longer. I can find somewhere to stay easily enough, not like I was stranded in Singapore or Hong kong, and tere's nothing work can do about it! First person ever at our place to phone in and say she'll be late due to a volcano
#98
Re: UK flights/Airports shutdown for up to 3 days
Poor you! Little lad wants you home safely tho` and you can all have a special celebration a little later. Enjoy the extra time with your mum instead.Bet shes secretly pleased...................
#99
Banned
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 22,348
Re: UK flights/Airports shutdown for up to 3 days
There's talk now of bringing the stranded passengers home via Spain:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/8628605.stm
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/8628605.stm
#100
Re: UK flights/Airports shutdown for up to 3 days
Finnish F-18 engine check reveals effects of volcanic dust
The Finnish air force has released images showing the effects of volcanic dust ingestion from inside the engines of a Boeing F-18 Hornet fighter, while it prepares to make inspections on several additional aircraft.
Five of the air force’s Hornets were involved in a training exercise on the morning of 15 April, just hours before the imposition of airspace restrictions due to the ash cloud spreading from a major volcanic eruption in Iceland.
One aircraft’s engines have been inspected so far using a boroscope, with melted ash clearly visible on its inside surface. The air force decided to release the images to show the potentially damaging effects of current flight activities, says chief information officer Joni Malkamäki.
The Finnish air force has released images showing the effects of volcanic dust ingestion from inside the engines of a Boeing F-18 Hornet fighter, while it prepares to make inspections on several additional aircraft.
Five of the air force’s Hornets were involved in a training exercise on the morning of 15 April, just hours before the imposition of airspace restrictions due to the ash cloud spreading from a major volcanic eruption in Iceland.
One aircraft’s engines have been inspected so far using a boroscope, with melted ash clearly visible on its inside surface. The air force decided to release the images to show the potentially damaging effects of current flight activities, says chief information officer Joni Malkamäki.
#101
Re: UK flights/Airports shutdown for up to 3 days
Even if all the test flights are problem free, there will still be a huge amount of people not prepared to get on flights just in case or even airlines not willing to try it. You only need a sudden change of wind strength and the situation changes again.
#102
Banned
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 22,348
Re: UK flights/Airports shutdown for up to 3 days
I for one am not willing for my family and I to get on a flight bound for the ash cloud. The only safe option seems to be to fly to a destination outside of the cloud and complete the journey by land and sea. Waiting for the outcome of the UK government's Spanish hub idea.
#103
Re: UK flights/Airports shutdown for up to 3 days
UK government now considering sending the Royal Navy to pick up stranded passengers.