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Post by John Parry on Apr 15, 2010 16:46:40 GMT -5
Today, the aerial world turned upside down. A volcano in Iceland blew its top, ash everywhere, and all aircraft movements in the UK were frozen (although, as somebody mentioned, we have jets flying through sandstorms all over Iraq and Afghanistan, but it doesn't seem to bother them...)
As a by-product, I was hoping to see a spectacular sunset, though, as it turned out there wasn't a cloud in the sky. So as a sunset it was pretty unmemorable.
What was nice though - blue skies with not a single aircraft contrail across them. When did any of us see that? I would say (from my own experience), that it was the 1950s, when we used to look out for them as being unusual...
Regards - John
ps The newscasters didn't happen to mention that the new moon and Venus were conspicuous at sunset, but I didn't have a camera to take advantage of the view against the violet sky.!
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Post by pompiere on Apr 16, 2010 3:23:11 GMT -5
In the US on 9/11/01, and for a few days after, all air traffic was grounded except for a few military flights. It was kind of eerie.
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mickeyobe
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Post by mickeyobe on Apr 16, 2010 4:49:57 GMT -5
Today, the aerial world turned upside down. A volcano in Iceland blew its top, ash everywhere, and all aircraft movements in the UK were frozen (although, as somebody mentioned, we have jets flying through sandstorms all over Iraq and Afghanistan, but it doesn't seem to bother them...) As I understand the situation the ash contains particles of glass that damage or destroy the engines. Mickey |
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Post by nikonbob on Apr 16, 2010 5:58:52 GMT -5
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photax
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Post by photax on Apr 16, 2010 17:05:30 GMT -5
All airports in Austria are closed since several hours, the planes are all grouded. Now the people can enjoy a long forgotten situation: Silence !
MIK
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Post by herron on Apr 19, 2010 18:52:52 GMT -5
How are things for our European and UK members today? Any major accumulations of volcanic ash, or is it, once again, a lot of media about a little?  |
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photax
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Post by photax on Apr 19, 2010 23:52:23 GMT -5
Hi Ron !
Austrias air space is released for planes since a couple of hours, other airports in Europe are still closed. A german NATO fighter jet landed yesterday with turbine problems caused by the ash-cloud. Some say that interrupting the air traffic is a wrong political decision, others say its a serious problem. Anyway, a great financial loss for the airlines. Too many "experts" involved...
MIK
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mickeyobe
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Post by mickeyobe on Apr 20, 2010 3:03:07 GMT -5
Hi Ron ! Some say that interrupting the air traffic is a wrong political decision, others say its a serious problem. MIK When a unique and possibly dangerous situation such as the volcanic eruption or the H1N1 pandemic or the SARS outbreak or an earthquake or tsunami seems to be impending or occurs it behooves the authorities responsible for public safety to act in the most cautious manner. Often there is no prior knowledge of how to deal with the problem and there may be some mistakes but they can only do their best with the knowledge and materials available. If there proves to be no great danger they are often villified by the public and business and the press and the infallibly hindsightful opposition for having wasted public funds or causing great inconvenience but who is to say that the actions taken did not avert a tragedy. If no actions were taken and disaster occurred guess who would be the first to blame the authorities. "Better safe than sorry."Mickey |
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PeterW
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Post by PeterW on Apr 20, 2010 10:46:41 GMT -5
Mickey,
I agree with you 100%
PeterW
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