1. Flight Operations in presence of Volcanic Contamination
Processes that should be considered in the development of Volcanic Event Contingeny Plans
FlightOps in+near VA Processes IVATF2.pptx Capt Heinz Frühwirth 10 June 2011

2. Puyehue, Chile; June 2011; © Reuters
The whole presentation is a simplified representation of events that could occur during a volcanic eruption cycle.
The sequence does not necessarily appear like that in real life.
Eruptions are very danymic and can happen without any prior warning or move back and forth between several stages.
The prupose of this presentation is to facilitate a common understanding of the needs of different parties involved.
Puyehue, Chile; June 2011; © Reuters

3. Overarching Principles
Volcanic Contamination is a Hazard to Flight Operations!
Support required
Information management
Central role of ATS units
Volcanic Contamination is a hazard to flight operations!
A well prepared sysem of support is required to achieve a safe operation
The availability and management of information is crucial to this process
ATS units play a central role in the information distribution for ad hoc situations and their responsibilities create particular needs that have to be catered for (workload!)
Some elements of this presentation are based on the author‘s preference for options, where a decision still is to be determined by IVATF or other ICAO groups
© Reuters 2011

4. Contingency Plan Basics
SYSTEM WIDE INFORMATION MANAGEMENT
COLLABORATIVE DECISION MAKING
As the provision of pertinent information to all players involved is key to success, a System Wide Information Management (SWIM) is to be the core of any Contingency Plan.
To adress the needs of all stakeholders adequately, a well-defined Collaborative Decision Making process must be in place.
(Only a few selected stakeholders are shown on this slide as examples. In reality there are many more.)

5. ICAO Doc 9766 Volcano Level of Alert Colour Code
ICAO Annex 15, Doc8162 (AIS Manual) and the International Airways Volcano Watch (IAVW) Handbook – ICAO Doc 9766 – contain a table with „Volcano Level of Alert“ colour codes.
From a flight ops perspective, most of the action in yellow and orange will be limited to „What If?“ considerations, i.e. being prepared for something to happen. Focus in these situations should be to avoid nuisance warnings, as adequate responses should have been prepared in generic Safety Risk Assessments and would have resulted in adequate Standard Operating Procedures covering unexpected occurrences. Even „increased likelihood“ does not warrant extensive reactions. A small precautionary Danger Area (max 10 NM radius; max altitude FL 250) would probably be sufficient to adequately protect aircraft from a sudden eruption.
With a RED ALERT based on the forecast of a significant emission of ash imminent, the initial (precautionary) Danger Area should have a diameter of max 60 NM and reach an altitude that would most likely not be exceeded by the initial volcanic ash cloud. Knowledge of prior eruptions of the respective volcano might be helpful to estimate the correct size of a Danger Area.
Note that Seientific Alert Levels also exist and may be used for local (non-aviation related) contingency and emergency response plans .

6. IAVW VAAC MWO non-eruptive state (Green Alert)
While there is no threat from volcanic activity, it is essential that everybody is prepared to deal with a sudden change in conditions.
Contingency Plans must be in place and be tested regularily to ensure that they work in times where they are needed.
The Standard Operating Procedures of the relevant stakeholders need to be in place, manuals and checklists available and personnel trained.
Generic SRAs may have been prepared to develop appropriate SOPs for ad hoc situations.
VAAC
MWO

7. Pre-eruption up to orange alert colour code (part „heightened unrest“)
I cannot see anything!
IAVW
Pre-eruption
IAVW, Volcano Observatories, Satellites and aircraft are „monitoring“ and might be observing some activity. Pre-eruption activity is undetectable from aircraft! Therefore requirements for pilots to report „pre-eruption activity“ should be eliminated from ICAO provisions but the Volcano Observatory might already start the information or alerting process and precautionary or preparatory processes would start!
It is important that the integrity of the alerting process is maintained by focussing on avoiding frequent nuisance warnings.
The Volcanic Observatory Notice for Aviation (VONA) should be distributed according to procedures contained in ICAO Doc 6799 (IAVW Handbook) and might trigger a NOTAM or increased monitoring activity, as well as preparatory considerations for an eruption.
At this stage, active air traffic controllers and pilots would continue with normal operations unless a precautionary Danger Area had to be established.

8. I see lava flowing! Let‘s tell ATC!
Lava eruption Orange Alert „no or minor ash emisson“
I see lava flowing! Let‘s tell ATC!
IAVW
With an eruption started, but not yet affecting the airspace, the alerting processes are started.
pilot > ACC > MWO > VAAC
Volcano Observatory > VAAC > MWO > ACC
The Volcanic Activity Reports from pilots that should be prepared as soon as possible after the observation and that have to be filed after landing are an important element in the information chain.
VAAC
MWO

9. Lava eruption affecting airport Orange Alert „no or minor ash emisson“
What shall we do?
IAVW
With an eruption, where lava flow or a pyroclastic flow affects an airport, the relevant airport Contingency Plan is activated. A NOTAM should be issued to inform the aviation community about the conditions present and to be expected at the airport.
Volcanic Ash Contingency Plans need to consider the consequences of airports becoming unavailable (including the effects on passengers).
Pilots of aircraft intending to land at the affected aerodrome will have to decide on a diversion, where time available in cooperation with their operator.
It‘s getting hot

10. initial Airuption IAVW VAAC MWO > SIGMET AIREP Special
Volcanic Cloud!
I need to divert!
AIREP Special
IAVW
AIREP Special
When volcanic contamination is emitted into the atmosphere, things become serious for aircraft en-route. Pilots will try to keep clear and need assistance from ATC.
ATC will inform the MWO and alert succeeding aircraft! Priority for ATC is on assisting aircraft to achieve a safe operation. As this all means an increased workload, there is a need for immediate measures to ensure continued functioning of the Air Traffic Services.
Actions should be well prepared in advance in contingency plans. The appropriate airspace authority should decide to establish a Danger Area.
The VAAC will collect all available information and start to compute Volcanic Ash Advisories.
Aircraft enroute to the affected airspace will apply SOPs to avoid hazards. Operators will exercise their operational control over flights that can still plan alternatives.
Preparations for Flight Operations in and near volcanic ash will commence at all stakeholders:
information collection
information processing
information distribution
production and distribution of SIGMETs, NOTAMs (ASHTAMs), VAAs, ...
preparations to conduct specific Safety Risk Assessments
...
VAAC
MWO > SIGMET

11. VAAC Volcanic Ash Advisories available ongoing eruptions
The game changes, once reliable and verified information becomes available in form of VAAs, VAGs and VA concentration charts.
Flight operations should be planned based on existing Contingency Procedures and Safety Risk Assessments for the actual/forecasted situation.
ATC will adapt their operations according to the changed demand and ATCFM will support ACCs to maintain a safe and orderly traffic flow.
Within this „operational (contingency) phase“ there is a continuous loop of information collection > processing > distribution and adaption (if necessary) and application of the contingency procedures.
There will be intensive interaction between all stakeholders.
VAAC

12. IAVW Back to Normal (Green Alert)
... until it can finally be confirmed that the situation is „back to normal“ again (GREEN alert).
As soon as practicable after major events, a post-event review should be performed to examine
– lessons learned
– the adequacy of existing procedures and
– the potential need for updates