Page 13 - Volume 12, Number 7

Flying in Areas of Volcanic Activity
Due to several volcanoes that are currently active, the National Business Aviation Association (NBAA) suggests operators brush up on flying in areas of volcanic ash and offer some tips:
Avoid Volcanic Ash: The first rule of thumb when flying in an area of volcanic ash is ... don’t. NBAA suggests to, “Plan a route of flight to ensure a wide clearance from volcanic ash clouds. Abrasive volcanic ash can cause substantial damage to engines, pneumatic and hydraulic systems, as well as windscreens, contaminate oxygen systems and block pitot/
static systems.”
Stay Informed: Pilots have several resources to receive current volcanic ash activity – nine Volcanic Ash Advisory Centers (VAAC), SIGMETs and NOTAMs.
Be Prepared: If planning to fly near areas of volcanic activity, NBAA says to “refresh your knowledge of operations in volcanic ash before you go and develop and document operating procedures.” An example provided – if you inadvertently encounter volcanic ash, be prepared to respond appropriately by reducing thrust to idle (altitude permitting) and reversing course out of the ash cloud. Do not attempt to fly through or climb out of the ash cloud, as they can extend for hundreds of miles.
If volcanic ash is encountered outside of areas previously reported, be sure to advise ATC as soon as possible – you may be the first to encounter volcanic ash in that area. PIREPs are an operator’s opportunity to share new information, confirm current information or alert ATC and other pilots that the area is clear of ash.
JULY 2018
Operators may stay clear of volcanic ash during flight but find ash has impacted their destination or departure airport. When landing at an airport with volcanic ash deposits on the runway, breaking action might be degraded. Pilots taking off from airports with volcanic ash deposits on the runway should wait for ash to settle before departing and might find it appropriate to delay flap extension.
DFW Main Runway Closed
Airport officials at Dallas-Fort Worth International Airport (DFW) announced the first major step in its $135 million ten-year plan to modernize the airport infrastructure has begun on 13,400-foot Runway 17C/35C. There will be a partial closure at first, and then starting in August the runway will be closed entirely until December.
When completed, a 6,000-foot section in the center of the runway will have been replaced to a depth of more than 3 feet and resurfaced with polymer- modified, high-performance black asphalt designed for strength, flexibility and weather resistance. Other improvements include enhanced pavement lighting and a pavement sensor system that measures weather impact and a perimeter taxiway on the northeast side of the airport. KA
KING AIR MAGAZINE • 11