A volcanic ash detector that can give pilots 10 minutes鈥� notice of dense ash ahead is to be tested by the British airline EasyJet, 快猫短视频 understands.
The technology has been in development for 20 years, with its existence reported by 快猫短视频鈥榮 late Australian correspondent Ian Anderson in April 1991. The new deal to test the technology at altitude marks a significant milestone for its inventor, atmospheric scientist Fred Prata at the in Kjeller, near Oslo.
Prata has long sought to convince air safety regulators and airlines that an 鈥渁sh camera鈥� could be a vital flight aid during eruptions. But until the recent eruption of the Eyjafjallaj枚kull volcano in Iceland, the aviation industry was not aware of the financial threat that ash could pose 鈥� largely because volcanic action had not previously disrupted an area so densely packed with air traffic as western Europe.
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Prata鈥檚 camera could help reduce such disruption by allowing aircraft to avoid dense ash clouds. It is effectively a digital camera that鈥檚 tuned to two characteristic infrared wavelengths emitted by silicate-rich ash. It could easily be fitted inside a forward-facing flight surface, such as the leading edge of the tail fin, where optical-wavelength cameras for monitoring the fuselage and engines are .
Hopes dashed
Prata and colleagues developed the technology while at the CSIRO research institute in Aspendale, Victoria, Australia. In 2001 hopes were raised that deployment of the ash camera was imminent 鈥� but the discussions, believed to have been with Australia鈥檚 national airline Qantas, came to nothing.
But the Icelandic eruptions earlier this year, and another 快猫短视频 story discussing Prata鈥檚 camera, brought the technology back onto the aviation industry鈥檚 radar.
鈥淚 am sure the 快猫短视频 story has helped,鈥� says Prata, who first discussed tests with Airbus, EasyJet and the UK air safety watchdog, the (CAA), in mid-May.
Watch this space
The precise nature of the deal with EasyJet is to be announced in London tomorrow. The CAA is expected to explain how it plans to monitor the tests, says spokesman Nic Stevenson.
鈥淲e鈥檝e always said the best way to minimise ash disruption is for the industry to come up with new ideas. But anything airlines are looking to do would need regulatory approval,鈥� he says.
EasyJet spokesmen had no comment, saying the company would reveal its plans for the technology tomorrow.
We鈥檒l update this story if significant developments are announced then.
