Thread: U.K. flights grounded

apparently due to volcanic ash clouds from eruptions in Iceland

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/8621407.stm

All flights in and out of the UK and several other European countries have been suspended as ash from a volcanic eruption in Iceland moves south.

Up to 4,000 flights are being cancelled with airspace closed in Norway, Sweden, Finland and Denmark among others.

The UK's air traffic control service (Nats) said no flights would be allowed in UK airspace until at least 0700 BST on Friday amid fears of engine damage.

Safety group Eurocontrol said the problem could persist for 48 hours.

The airspace restriction was the worst in living memory, a Nats spokesman said.

Air ambulance

Nats suggested that the restrictions were unlikely to be lifted after 0700, saying saying it was "very unlikely that the situation over England will improve in the foreseeable future".

so far those affected:

Airspace closed:
UK

Republic of Ireland

Norway

Partial or planned closures:
Sweden (total closure by 2000 GMT)

France (two main Paris airports plus several in the north)

Denmark (total by 1600 GMT)

Finland (northern airspace closed till 1200 GMT Friday)

Belgium (total from 1430 GMT)

Netherlands (being shut progressively)

A little surprised to see such a huge disruption but also they are doing what is the safest for passengers and crew. From what I've heard/seen flying through Volcanic ash is a good way to risk your life.

If you don't know, from what I remember, the problem is all the molten crap in the ash gets into the engine and sticks to it, eventually causing a mass build up and causing the engine to flare out.

Originally Posted by Rawr

Gizmodo has some awesome pictures on it, and a link discussing what exactly the volcanic ash does to planes.

http://gizmodo.com/5517678/icelands-...-cancellations

The ash is re-melted....crazy.

Originally Posted by BruceBloodMaster

Actually there have so many flights cancelled because it is covering a big area of the trans atlantic flight corridors. Most if not All of Europe fly the northern corridor across the atlantic.
The other main reason planes are so effected by volcanic ash is the fact that it is sharp Rock. It tends not to stick inside the jets engines but more to the point can cause alot of physical damage to the turbine blades due to the high compression of the air that is taken into the engine. If turbine blades are damaged the engine can literally come apart.

The article says that the shards of ash made mostly of silica re-melt in the engines and stick to the blades.