A Way Around the Volcanic Ash Cloud

In the cockpit, the pilots cross the last items off their checklist. No thunderstorms have been forecast for today – but a volcanic ash cloud from Iceland is making its way across the sky. Will the flight have to be postponed or cancelled on short notice? Can the ash cloud be circled, or is it expanding in the opposite direction? Will the destination airport be ash-free upon arrival? Will the air traffic controllers give clearance for landing at all? The DLR project ‘Volcanic ash impact on the Air Transport System’ (VolcATS) examines the issue of volcanic ash, its effects on air traffic and possible solutions to these problems. The ash spewed into the air during a volcanic eruption heavily restricts the surrounding air space that is usable for air traffic. The free air space must then be used efficiently to minimise the negative impacts on both the airlines and the passengers. DLR researchers in Braunschweig have used different simulations to identify the reasons for flight cancellations or delays due to volcanic ash and have developed action strategies for better handling problems encountered as a result of ash clouds. The aim is to carry out as many flights as possible and to assist in making the best decision possible about whether or not flights should be conducted