Air Traffic Management

[It is too early to comment on the effect of the volcanic ash cloud on air traffic management and aviation, I will when the dust will settle ]

Screen shot from the flight level compliance module

Most of us have heard of the butterfly effect metaphor [if you haven't click here] where in a complex system, a small change here causes an overproportionate effect there. ATM is a complex system and the butterfly effect may be of application.

How many times we as controllers have given a level which is different from the one onthe flight plan? How many times have pilots requested different levels themselves?  These seem as begnin actions in the direction of service provision. But are they?

This short, free and readily accessible e-learning module from EUROCONTROL’s CFMU describes the effects.

Click here to proceed and take a look at the image below to quickly find the module

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Image embedded from yahoo news

Towards the end of March, one of Iceland’s volcanoes, the Eyjafjallajokull, started erupting. Apart from lava and flooding from ice and snow sitting on top, it has put a biq quantity of volcanic ash into the air.

This volcanic ash is of danger to aircraft. For more information on volcanic ash and aviation, please go here:

http://www.skybrary.aero/index.php/Volcanic_Ash

Based on the guidelines of the International Civil Aviation Organisation normal air traffic control services cannot be provided to flights in airspaces affected by volcanic ash.

Eurocontrol is coordinating with local Air Navigation Service providers to ensure safety and to mitigate, as much as possible the situation. Here is the press release.

Charts indicating the presence of volcanic ash are regularly updated and presented by met offices and observatory units to aviation.

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