Volcanic ash tid-bit.

[empip]

http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2010/apr/25/volcanic-ash-air-industry-warned

...The group's fifth meeting, held this year in Chile two weeks before the Icelandic eruption, invited the aircraft manufacturers to discuss what might constitute safe ash levels. However, the minutes reveal: "IATA informed the group about the strong efforts made in order to get representation from the industry at the workshop but unfortunately these efforts had not been successful."...

Hmmmm... the draft report - note the date !
5th INTERNATIONAL WORKSHOP ON VOLCANIC ASH Santiago, Chile 22-26 March 2010
http://www2.icao.int/en/anb/met-aim/met/iavwopsg/Lists/Workshops/DispForm.aspx?ID=3

Referring to the need to have established alert thresholds, Airbus was then asked what is the safe particle size and concentration of ash that is sustainable by aircraft. Similarly, the same question relating to Sulphurous gas was also asked. Airbus could not provide an answer to either question because this information is not readily available. Airbus highlighted that flight in volcanic ash laden atmosphere is not part of the environmental specifications to which aircraft and engines are built.
However, an action item was taken by Airbus to write to the engine manufacturers asking if an answer is available. Airbus will respond to IATA...

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...Boeing has always advocated that flight crews avoid volcanic ash clouds or exit them immediately if an encounter occurs...

Why should we pay any compo to airlines?? Looks like generally sensible actions taken - given information at hand.

-0-

 

[Thermo]

watched branson on the news yesterday talking about it. He was saying they wanted compensation, as his engineers helped with giving advice, but the government gave the final decision (based on industry advice!) so they made the final decision and its their fault.

 

[dextrous]

Where precisely does Branson think the money for this "compensation" will come from

By "compensation" I mean money to keep him as rich as he was before, because he clearly needs the cash.