INTERNATIONAL AIRWAYS VOLCANO WATCH (IAVW ...

INTERNATIONAL AIRWAYS
VOLCANO WATCH (IAVW)
International Civil Aviation
Organization
Raúl Romero

2
SUMMARY
• Introduction, Definition
• Requirements
• IAVWOPSG
• Structure
• Operation
Detection
Warning
• Implementation issues
• Latest developments
• Challenges and future developments
• Conclusion

3
INTRODUCTION
• 24 June 1982 , B747 from Kuala Lumpur
to Perth lost power on all four engines at
37000 ft, successfully landed at Jakarta.
• Three weeks later, another B747 flying to
Melbourne reported a similar incident,
landed also at Jakarta.
• Volcanic ash from Mt. Galunggung
suspected as culprit.

4
DEFINITION
In accordance with Annex 3- Meteorological
Service for International Air Navigation, to the
Convention on International Civil Aviation
International Airways Volcano Watch
(IAVW).
International arrangements for
monitoring and providing warnings to
aircraft of volcanic ash in the
atmosphere.

5
DEFINITION
Note.— The IAVW is based on the
cooperation of aviation and non-aviation
operational units using information derived
from observing sources and networks that
are provided by States. The watch is
coordinated by ICAO with the cooperation
of other concerned international
organizations.

6
DEFINITION
Volcanic ash advisory centre (VAAC).
A meteorological centre designated by
regional air navigation agreement to
provide advisory information to
meteorological watch offices, area control
centres, flight information centres, world
area forecast centres and international
OPMET databanks regarding the lateral
and vertical extent and forecast movement
of volcanic ash in the atmosphere
following volcanic eruptions.

Annex 3, 3.5.1
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REQUIREMENTS
VAAC- Volcanic Ash Advisory Centre
Monitor relevant data to detect VA
Activate models to forecast movement of ash clouds
Issue advisory information to:
MWOs, ACCs/FICs, other VAACs, WAFCs,databanks,
NOFs, AFS distribution systems, airlines
Issue updated information, as necessary
24-hour watch

VAAC MODELS
8
REQUIREMENTS
METEOSAT (MSG)
MODIS
G-BiRD
VAFTAD
CANERM
MOCAGE
PERLE
HYSPLIT
NAME
PUFF

9
REQUIREMENTS
State volcano observatories
Annex 3, 3.6
Contracting States that maintain volcano observatories monitoring
active volcanoes shall arrange that selected State volcano
observatories, as designated by regional air navigation agreement,
observing:
a) significant pre-eruption volcanic activity, or a cessation thereof;
b) a volcanic eruption, or a cessation thereof; and/or
c) volcanic ash in the atmosphere
shall send this information as quickly as practicable to its associated
ACC, MWO and VAAC.

Annex 3, 3.4
10
REQUIREMENTS
MWO- Meteorological Watch Office
• maintain watch over meteorological conditions affecting flight
operations within its area of responsibility;
• a) prepare SIGMET and other information relating to its
area of responsibility;
• b) supply SIGMET information and, as required, other
meteorological information to associated air traffic services units;
• c) disseminate SIGMET information;
• supply information received on pre-eruption volcanic activity, a
volcanic eruption and volcanic ash cloud to its associated ACC/FIC,
and to its associated VAAC as determined by regional air
navigation agreement

11
IAVWOPSG
IAVW Operations Group
Established in 2002 by the MET Divisional
Meeting
assists ICAO in the coordination and
development of the IAVW
9 VAACs, IAEA, IATA, IFALPA, IUGG and
WMO
http://www.icao.int/anb/IAVWOPSG/

1. Terms of reference:
IAVWOPSG
The IAVWOPSG should:
a) provide advice and guidance to the secretariat concerning the operation of the IAVW and its effectiveness in
meeting current operational requirements;
b) develop proposals for the development of the IAVW in order to ensure that it continues to meet evolving
operational requirements;
Note.— Such proposals for requirements should be made under ICAO procedures for the amendment of Annex 3.
c) assist the Secretariat in the coordination of the arrangements between the various international organizations
comprising the IAVW;
d) coordinate with the SADISOPSG and WAFSOPSG regarding the inclusion of volcanic ash advisories and
SIGMETs on the ICAO satellite broadcasts;
e) assist the Secretariat in the development of appropriate guidance material both for operations with volcanic ash in
the atmosphere and also operations with volcanic ash deposited on aerodromes;
f) develop specific proposals for the provision of warnings for aerodrome management for deposition of volcanic ash
on aerodromes;
g) provide advice and guidance to the Secretariat and the VAACs regarding the future ICAO IAVW and existing
VAAC Websites, respectively;
h) provide advice to the Secretariat regarding the development of international arrangements for the provision of
warnings to aircraft of radioactive materials and toxic chemicals in the atmosphere (legacy task of the VAWSG);
and
i) make regular progress reports to the Air Navigation Commission.
2. Composition
The IAVWOPSG should comprise representatives from States providing the VAACs, other user States that provided
members to the VAWSG, and representatives from International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), International Air
Transport Association (IATA), International Federation of Air Line Pilots’ Associations (IFALPA), International
Union of Geodesy and Geophysics (IUGG) (covering the International Association of Volcanology and Chemistry
12 of the Earth’s Interior (IAVCEI) and its commission the World Organization of Volcano Observatories (WOVO)),
and World Meteorological Organization (WMO).

13
STRUCTURE

14
STRUCTURE

15
STRUCTURE
OBSERVING COMPONENT
• Detection & tracking of VA clouds using
Data from volcano observatories
Satellite images
Aircraft reports (special AIREP)
Other sources

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STRUCTURE
WARNING COMPONENT
• Volcanic ash advisories by VAAC
Role of Numerical Weather Prediction
Models and WMO (Int. Workshops on
VA)
• SIGMET by MWO
• NOTAM/ASHTAM by ACC
VAACs, MWOs and ACCs, authorized
aviation units for the provision of VA
information to aviation

OPERATION
Example A2-1. Advisory message for volcanic ash
• VA ADVISORY
• DTG:20000402/0700Z
• VAAC:TOKYO
• VOLCANO:USUZAN 805-03
• PSN:N4230 E14048
• AREA:JAPAN
• SUMMIT ELEV:732M
• ADVISORY NR:2000/432
• INFO SOURCE:GMS JMA
• AVIATION COLOUR CODE:RED
• ERUPTION DETAILS:ERUPTED 20000402/0614Z ERUPTION OBS VA TO ABV FL300
• OBS VA DTG:02/0645Z
• OBS VA CLD:FL150/350 N4230 E14048 – N4300 E14130 – N4246 E14230 – N4232 E14150 –
N4230 E14048 SFC/FL150 MOV NE 25KT FL150/350 MOV E 30KT
• FCST VA CLD +6 HR:02/1245Z SFC/FL200 N4230 E14048 – N4232 E14150 – N4238 E14300 –
N4246 E14230 FL200/350 N4230 E14048 – N4232 E14150 – N4238 E14300 – N4246 E14230
FL350/600 NO VA EXP
• FCST VA CLD +12 HR:02/1845Z SFC/FL300 N4230 E14048 – N4232 E14150 – N4238 E14300 –
N4246 E14230 FL300/600 NO VA EXP
• FCST VA CLD +18 HR:03/0045Z SFC/FL600 NO VA EXP
• RMK:VA CLD CAN NO LONGER BE DETECTED ON SATELLITE IMAGE
17 • NXT ADVISORY:20000402/1300Z

18
OPERATION

OPERATION
Example A6-3. SIGMET message for volcanic ash
• YUDD SIGMET 2 VALID 211100/211700 YUSO –YUDD SHANLON FIR/UIR VA
ERUPTION MT ASHVAL LOC S1500 E07348 VA CLD OBS AT 1100Z FL310/450
APRX 220KM BY 35KM S1500 E07348 - S1530 E07642 MOV SE 65KMH FCST
1700Z VA CLD APRX S1506 E07500 - S1518 E08112 - S1712 E08330 - S1824
E07836
• Meaning: The second SIGMET message issued for the SHANLON* flight information
region (identified by YUDD Shanlon area control centre/upper flight information
region) by the Shanlon/International* meteorological watch office (YUSO) since 0001
UTC; the message is valid from 1100 UTC to 1700 UTC on the 21st of the month;
volcanic ash eruption of Mount Ashval* located at 15 degrees south and 73 degrees
48 minutes east; volcanic ash cloud observed at 1100 UTC between flight levels 310
and 450 in an approximate area of 220 km by 35 km between 15 degrees south and
73 degrees 48 minutes east, and 15 degrees 30 minutes south and 76 degrees 42
minutes east; the volcanic ash cloud is expected to move southeastwards at 65
kilometres per hour; at 1700 UTC the volcanic ash cloud is forecast to be located
approximately in an area bounded by the following points: 15 degrees 6 minutes
south and 75 degrees east, 15 degrees 18 minutes south and 81 degrees 12 minutes
east, 17 degrees 12 minutes south and 83 degrees 30 minutes east, and 18 degrees
24 minutes south and 78 degrees 36 minutes east.* Fictitious locations
19

20
OPERATION

21
OPERATION
Guidance Material
Handbook on the IAVW, Operational
Procedures and Contact List, Doc 9766
(http://www.icao.int/icaonet/dcs/9766/ )
Manual on Volcanic Ash, Radioactive
Material and Toxic Chemical Clouds, Doc
9691
ICAO and IFALPA videos, posters, USGS
maps

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IMPLEMENTATION ISSUES
Delayed notification
Lack of timely info on volcanic eruptions
Lack of implementation of SIGMET
(issuance, format, dissemination)
Limited skills in forecasting VA
dispersion
Eruption Source Parameters (ESP) as a tool

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CHALLENGES AND FUTURE
DEVELOPMENTS

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CHALLENGES AND FUTURE
DEVELOPMENTS
Leading-edge deposits dislodged during disassembly of stage-1 high-pressure-turbine
nozzle guide vanes

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CHALLENGES AND FUTURE
DEVELOPMENTS

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CHALLENGES AND FUTURE
DEVELOPMENTS
• Early notification (specially for nonmonitored
volcanoes)
Infrasonics (ASHE, CTBTO)
• SIGMET issue (consolidation of the
issuance of SIGMETs, functional airspace
blocks, systems interoperability ( e.g.
XML))
MET Divisional Meeting (2014)
• Issue of “ safe” concentration on volcanic
ash
From scientific and industry viewpoint

28
CHALLENGES AND FUTURE
• SAFETY
DEVELOPMENTS
• MINIMUM RE-ROUTING OF
AIRCRAFT
• MINIMUM AICRAFT EXPOSURE TO
NON-VISIBLE VOLCANIC ASH

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CONCLUSION
“ GIVEN THE SAFETY AND
ECONOMICS IMPLICATIONS OF
VOLCANIC ASH TO AIRCRAFT
OPERATIONS, IT IS NECESSARY
TO MAINTAIN THE ICAO IAVW IN
CONSTANT READINESS BUT WITH
THE FERVENT HOPE THAT IT
RARELY HAS TO BE USED”