EU Conducts Test Flights To Assess Impact of Volcanic Ash On Aircraft

chrb writes "As we discussed on Friday, the eruption of Eyjafjallajökull in Iceland has led to flights being canceled across the EU. With travel chaos ensuing and the airlines losing an estimated $200 million per day, EU authorities are coming under increasing pressure to re-open the airways. Test flights conducted on Saturday were apparently successful, with no problems encountered during flight. Following the test flights, Peter Hartman, CEO of KLM, said, 'We hope to receive permission as soon as possible after that to start up our operation and to transport our passengers to their destinations.' Evidence possibly opposing this move comes from the Finnish Defense Forces, which released photos and a statement after F-18 Hornets flew through the ash cloud, saying, 'Based on the pictures, it was discovered that even short flights in ash dust may cause significant damage to an airplane's engine.' Is it safe to resume flights so soon, or should planes remain grounded until the ash cloud has dissipated?"

Comments

Big mass hysteria

[viking80]

The main plume of the ash blows right across the Shetland islands pretty close to Iceland. The maps with artificial color show it to be black here, any yet, I see nothing. Blue skies, and starry nights. I have see ash from volcanoes where the sun turns red, so I know the scale, and here it is no ash. I have spoken with friends around Europe, and nobody has seen any ash plume. (except Iceland of course)

If anyone have seen any of this ash plume, please respond.

Re: Twenty Years Of Ash

[PPH]

the general health of the world population might improve due to less disease propagation from travellers.

Less EU-style socialism? I'm all for it!