New Technology to detect ash cloud

News at Heathrow 08/06/2010

Admin charge for Visa waiver Programme : 2010 : Full body scanners to be modified

Simple infrared images could help airlines

A scientist at the Norwegian Institute for Air Research, Dr Fred Prata, has developed a simple system that will give airline pilots the information they need to avoid flying into volcanic ash.

The system, unveiled by easyJet, consists of infrared technology and would supply images to the pilots control centre showing them ash clouds up to 62 miles ahead at altitudes of between 5,000 and 50,000ft. The pilot would be able to monitor any cloud and make adjustments to the flight path if needed. The idea is based on the existing weather radars which are already installed in commercial airliners.

The information available from the aircraft would also allow ground control to monitor any future ash cloud more accurately. The recent volcanic ash eruption cost airlines millions, easyJet alone put the cost of the disruption as between £50 and £75 million and they plan on spending about £1 million in development and the installation of the system into their aircraft by the end of 2010 once any testing has taken place.

Andy Harrison, easyJet’s chief executive said “What we don’t want to do is to gain a commercial advantage over other airlines so we can fly and they can’t. This is a huge leap forward and the best thing is to get this technology on hundreds of plains operated by a number of airlines”.

Admin charge for Visa waiver Programme : 2010 : Full body scanners to be modified

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