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Easyjet calls for cash to support ash cloud avoidance system

15 Apr 2011 by BusinessTraveller

Easyjet has revealed the progress made on the AVOID (Airborne Volcanic Object Identifier and Detector) system, and requested funds from the European Commission to fund the project.

The carrier unveiled plans for the ash cloud radar system last year (see online news June 4, 2010), and says that a prototype has now been developed, which uses infrared technology fitted to aircraft to supply images to pilots and airlines’ flight control centres.

Easyjet says that the images will enable pilots to see an ash cloud up to 100km ahead, at altitudes of between 5,000 feet and 50,000 feet, allowing them to make adjustments to the flight path.

It would also allow an image of the volcanic ash cloud to be built up on the ground, enabling authorities to open up large areas of airspace that would otherwise be closed during the eruption.

Easyjet says that the next phase of the project is to validate the equipment by testing it close to volcanic ash over the next few months, and has called on the European Union to provide funds to support the research and development of the AVOID system, created by Dr Fred Prata of the Norwegian Institute for Air Research.

Andrew Haines, CEO of the Civil Aviation Authority said he welcomed the initiative, and encouraged “other UK operators to explore solutions to the problems volcanic ash poses to aircraft”.  

Commenting on the new Ian Davies, head of engineering for Easyjet said:

“Last winter we were told that the heavy snowfall was a once in a lifetime event and then it happened again ten months later. We can’t predict exactly when another volcano will erupt and send an ash cloud into European airspace but we can say with certainty that it will happen at some stage.

“Our industry is better prepared today than it was last year but we need to go further. easyJet is playing its part by working closely with Dr. Fred Prata and his team to progress the development of the AVOID technology, and we call for more support from the rest of the industry for this and other new solutions to deal with the volcanic threat.”

For more information visit easyjet.com.

Report by Mark Caswell

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