General Chat

from the local paper

A Nats statement read: “The volcanic ash cloud from Iceland is moving around and changing shape.

“Based on the latest information from the Met Office, Nats advises that the restrictions currently in place across UK controlled airspace will remain in place until at least 0100 (UK time) tomorrow, Sunday April 18.

“We are looking for opportunities when the ash cloud moves sufficiently for us to make some airspace available within Scotland and Northern Ireland, which may enable some domestic flights to operate under individual co-ordination with ATC (air traffic control); we will be co-ordinating this closely with airlines and airports.

“It is most unlikely that many flights will operate today and anyone hoping to travel should contact their airline before travelling to the airport.

“We will continue to monitor Met Office information and review our arrangements in line with that.”

A further update is expected at around 3pm this afternoon, Nats said.

Airport operator BAA said: “Following the latest advice from Nats, all flights to and from all BAA airports are suspended until 0100 tomorrow at the earliest.

“Passengers due to fly today should not travel to these airports until further notice, and should remain in touch with their airlines.

“We expect Nats to provide a further update around 1500 today.

“We appreciate the continued patience of passengers at this difficult time and will provide updates as often as possible.”

But as tourists were left frustrated, the Natural Environment Research Council took advantage of the eruption's aftermath.

Its Gloucestershire-based Airborne Research and Survey Facility sent a Dornier 228 plane to the edge of the plume.

Piloted by Captain Carl Joseph, with co-pilot David Davies, the aircraft has flown in a small research team, led by Dr Guy Gratton, head of the Facility for Airborne Atmospheric Measurements.

They will record data relating to the height, density and position of the plume.

Peter Purcell, head of Airborne Research Facilities, said: "I don't believe anyone has used an aircraft to sample the edge of these plumes before – it is actually very dangerous. If you fly into the ash and your engines stop, you crash."

Their plane left for Scotland on Thursday.

Met Office forecaster John Hammond said: "Over the next few days, with winds as they are, there is a chance we will see small deposits, but these will be quite difficult to see."

Teresa, I read in our local paper that, if they could fly 'on sight' they were OK but they can't fly if they need radar and go above a certain height. One of the light aircraft flying from Gloucestershire is the one with monitoring equipment fixed to its wings, monitoring the dust.

Good point Julia, I haven't even heard our Air Ambulance or the Police helicopter flying over here. Mind they fly from Norwich Airport, so I suppose when they say the airport is closed, that's just what it is, closed. End of. lol.

Isn't it odd to look up into clear blue skies and not see one white trail anywhere. They really are clear blue skies!
i did hear a light aircraft flying over this morning...I bet he didn't have permission. There's always one.

A few low flying planes around here and 1 helicopter .It is very strange at night ,as I always stand outside and look up at the sky.I can normally see the lights of 5 planes.....now nothing.
It feels really odd,when you think something has happened so far away and yet it has affected so many countries in this way.
As Uzzi has just said...better to be safe than sorry.

Yes Ann, I appreciate that, though none have been fiying here. It was said rather tongue in cheek.
I was in the middle of me Cuprinoling, when it went over. The noise in the sky, after a few days of silence was quite phenomenal.
Julia in Derbyshire

Helicopters are allowed to fly here Julia and light planes are flying too, it depends how high they fly as the risk was at a high level to jet engines.

Joy good to hear you should have your boy back soon, always nice to know they are safe.

We are seeing a lot of the otherside of airport closure here, they can't get home. Some are fine as they have other places to stay, or can afford extra accommodation, but not all. So for them it's an airport sleep over on cots provided.
I feel sorry for those that need to travel but many holiday makers will be refunded.
It amused me the chap who go a ferry saying he had a bike as there was no more foot passengers.
I envy my friend who is stranded in Goa after her 3 day lay over as an air-hostess she is being paid !

OH is hearing many comments where he works 1 being but I have to get back to work I'm important...the answer was not that important as they let you have a holiday.

In the long run tho' better to be alive and safe.

Strange init. No planes in the sky, and our county Air Ambulance Helecopter is grounded. Yet, this morning the police chopper passed over. Ah well, the fry of chips must have gone on at HQ.ready for lunch.
Julia in Derbyshire

PS Stray and Joy, Glad the lad is back on terra firma. Not be long now for his laundry.LOLOL

my brothers finally on uk soil, hes just got the lomg drive home now xxx

I have a B Brother stuck on an oil rig off Norway.He has already been there for 3 weeks and was due home the day before yesterday.
The sky looks so funny with no planes or white trails(I can't think what they are called).

my two granddaughters are stranded in lanzerote..there dad is with them thankfully.. g/daughter been told no flights back for them ...till end of april from the airport ..

Speaking as one who is due to fly in two weeks time, the uncertainty is difficult. I don't know why people are at the airports but, as somebody said, some who are flying out will have no money left and no place to go. I don't understand why people from UK are at airports but people are probably eternally hopeful, as the young couple who have planned their wedding for 3 years abroad and now can't go. It is sad for them and frustrating and maybe even more so because there is nobody to blame, we can't fight natural disasters.
I see people stranded in Malaga (where we were 2 weeks ago, have been told they could be a week to ten days before they fly home. well we don't have work to go to or a business to run (some people are self employed think what it is costing them) but it would have been expensive for us to have had to pay out for accommodation, it is a nightmare.

Fingers crossed the second one doesn't go up!!

I bet there are a few people who feel like punching others even if it's not their fault.

A man was arrested at M IA on thursday for punching a tour operator at the check in desk....because he was told to go home as no flights would be taking of or landing ..what a gimp.

lol

Priceless comment too by someone at Glasgow - that the ash wasn't in the air at ground level, so why couldn't planes fly? Er, does he not know that planes don't fly on the ground!

Tina...I agree with the woman..they should just put a cork in it and that would stop it .....pmsl

My friend & her family are stuck in Cyprus. They were due home Thursday but have rescheduled for Monday night IF flights get back to normal.

My other friend & also my daughters teacher is stuck with her kids in Thailand & should be back to work Monday (inset day)

Both said its a pain in the rear but they also are happy not to be flying into danger & that the decision to suspend flights is right.

I'm sure there is a clause about acts of God (natural disasters which prevent flying) in some travel brochures.

It also depends what insurance cover you take out. If you for instance go on a trip to France you wont expect a volcano in another country far away to stop you flying so may only take out what insurance you feel you need.
(when we went to Florida last year, we made sure we were covered for everything as we went in hurricane season LOL )

The trains and ferries etc are doing well out of it.
Prices will no doubt go up on certain things.It's going to have a knock on affect to a lot of things.

Must be horrible being stranded, unless you are in no hurry to get home lol


Marion

Aww that's great news Joy.

xx