…new evidence shows there was no all-encompassing cloud and, where dust was present, it was often so thin that it posed no risk.
The satellite images demonstrate that the skies were largely clear, which will not surprise the millions who enjoyed the fine, hot weather during the flight ban.
Jim McKenna, the Civil Aviation Authority’s head of airworthiness, strategy and policy, admitted: ‘It’s obvious that at the start of this crisis there was a lack of definitive data.
‘It’s also true that for some of the time, the density of ash above the UK was close to undetectable.’
Sounds like at the onset of the thing, the authorities Knew how much they Didn’t Know. Given the paucity of hard data at the time, and the large numbers of lives Potentially at risk, seems the Prudent course was indeed to Assume the Worst and act accordingly.
The satellite images will be used by airlines in their battle to win tens of millions of pounds in compensation from governments for their losses.
Gee. Ya think? :>
Evidence has emerged that the maximum density of the ash was only about one 20th of the limit that scientists, the Government, and aircraft and engine manufacturers have now decided is safe.
British Airways chief Willie Walsh always insisted the total shutdown went too far.
‘My personal belief is that we could have safely continued operating for a period,’ he said.
So: Pay up, gentlemen. ;>
The National Air Traffic Control Service decision to ban flights was based on Met Office computer models which painted a picture of a cloud of ash being blown south from the Eyjafjallajokull volcano.
These models should have been tested by the Met Office’s main research plane, a BAE 146 jet, but it was in a hangar to be repainted and could not be sent up until last Tuesday – the last day of the ban.
Hm. / Bad luck they couldn’t have just Rolled her out and sent ‘er up half-painted or whatever; but no doubt there were Technical obstacles. Disassembly and so forth. Ruddy shame. ;}
RT @dmataconis: The Eyjafjallajokull Ash Cloud: Much Ado About Nothing? http://ping.fm/9VRhl
Hm. / Well in hindsight, maybe so:
Sounds like at the onset of the thing, the authorities Knew how much they Didn’t Know. Given the paucity of hard data at the time, and the large numbers of lives Potentially at risk, seems the Prudent course was indeed to Assume the Worst and act accordingly.
Gee. Ya think? :>
So: Pay up, gentlemen. ;>
Hm. / Bad luck they couldn’t have just Rolled her out and sent ‘er up half-painted or whatever; but no doubt there were Technical obstacles. Disassembly and so forth. Ruddy shame. ;}