The detector uses tiny infrared cameras mounted on tail wings of planes that enable pilots to identify ash up to 62 miles before being encountered and at altitudes between 5,000 to 50,000 ft.
The technology is based on principles similar to airline storm detecting weather radar and has been warmly received because of its potential to reduce the large scale disruption to the airline industry encountered when the Icelandic volcano erupted in April. The possibility that another volcano in the area may erupt makes this even more important.
Experts believe that volcanic ash is a serious threat to planes, impairing visibility, damaging flight controls, and eventually causing jet engines to fail.
The first test flight using this technology is expected to be run within two months and will be conducted by Airbus on an EasyJet plane.
The British Civil Aviation Authority believes that this pioneering technology will put an end to large scale ash flight disruptions. It believes that ash detectors will enable aircraft to see and avoid ash clouds, similar to how airborne weather radars and weather maps make thunderstorms visible.
Zero ash tolerance was stipulated by jet engine manufacturers until recently. However, after the Icelandic ash eruption, European aviation regulators set new guidelines, after consulting with manufacturers that allows planes to fly in higher ash densities. Since it remains to be seen what the long term impact of such flights has on jet engines, the new technology which allows planes to minimize their flying through airborne ash is seen as highly desirable.
