Volcanic Ash and Space Weather

What is a complications with identifying volcanic ash?

It looks like a cloud.

Describe the area of impact of volcanic ash.

It can be worldwide.

What makes volcanic ash so dangerous?

Smaller grains will melt at typical engine idle speeds. Windows get clouded. Circuts and filters and instrumentation get clogged.

If you are in volcanic ash, what is the last thing you should do? (Don’t do it)

Add power.

How do you recognize volcanic ash?

Acrid oder like electrical smoke. Sulfur oder maybe. Static discharge? Issues with plane?

What tells you about volcanic ash?

Volcanic has advisory centers. Assigned areas by WMO. Every 6 hours after an eruption. 00 06 12 18 hr forecasts of ash.

What actions should you take after entering Volcanic Ash?

Throttle idle, turn around, be prepared for engine shutdown.

What ways can space weather impact operations?

Radiation exposure on transpolar flight routes. Satellite navigation errors. Communication blackouts.

What causes space weather?

Solar flares. Coronal mass ejections.

What are the types of space weather?

S: solar radiation storm. G: geomagnetic storms. R: Radio Blackouts