ICAO INTERNATIONAL AIRWAYS VOLCANO

WATCH (IAVW)

2

DEFINITION

• In Annex 3 (since November 1998)

• IAVW:– International arrangements for

monitoring and providing warnings to aircraft of volcanic ash in the atmosphere

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BACKGROUND

• Beginning in 1987

• Role of VAWSG (created in 1982)

• Cooperation of international organizations

• How? – SIGMETs (MWOs)

– NOTAMs (ACCs)

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BACKGROUND

• Difficulty in providing accurate info up to 12 hours– Designation of VAACs, on advice from WMO;– SIGMET& outlook– VAACs designated subject to RAN agreement

• Operational procedures developed– Involvement of other international organizations

• Based on experience

• Responsibilities in Annex 3 (November 1998)

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BACKGROUND

• Operational procedures include in the Handbook on the IAVW (Doc 9766)– last update in 2004

• Latest developments:– New format for VAAs (2001) – Review of Regional SIGMET Guides (2004)– Inclusion of selected volcano observatories in

ICAO provisions (2004)– Establishment of IAVWOPSG (2003)

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OPERATIONStructure of the IAVW

• Observing part– Detection of eruptions and volcanic ash– Notification of MWOs, ACCs & VAACs

• From a number of sources

• Warning– Volcanic ash advisories (by VAACs)– Alphanumeric & graphical format– SIGMETs (by MWOs)– NOTAMs/ASHTAMs (by ACCs)

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OPERATIONObserving component

• Ground-based component– Difficulties in receiving initial notification

• Air-reporting component– Operating well in general– Further work is necessary

• Space-based component – Satellite data critical– Scope for improvement

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OPERATION THIRD INT. WORKSHOP ON VOLCANIC ASH

• METEOSAT (MSG)

• MODIS

• G-bIRD

• VAFTAD

• CANERM

• MOCAGE

• PERLE

• HYSPLIT

• NAME

• PUFF

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OPERATIONWarning component

• VAAC Provider States– Areas of responsibility determined by the

coverage of satellite information

• Main international airways covered first

• Organized tracks with adequate coverage

• Future coverage of major traffic flows

• Extension of areas of responsibility of VAACs Toulouse and Washington

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OPERATIONWarning component

• SIGMETs, NOTAMs, ASHTAMs– In general satisfactory

– Difficulties in some areas with:• Absence of SIGMETs

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OPERATIONWarning component

• ICAO SIPs 2002-2003

• Conceived to promote implementation of IAVW

• Meetings with ATS, MET, Vulcanological agencies

• Encouraging results

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OPERATIONWarning component

• Advisory information – Format in Annex 3 since 1998– Messages via AFTN– Graphical info on the ISCS & SADIS– Routed also to airlines

• Importance of the message format– Addressing individual offices (via AFTN)– Satellite broadcast offer an excellent means

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OPERATIONNon

real-timeinformation

NOTAMsDirect exchange

of information

Aircraft observingvolcanic activity

Succeedingaircraft

SmithsonianInstitution

(Washington, D.C.)

Air-GroundCommunication

Station

Air-GroundCommunication

Station

ACCsof

AdjacentFIRs

AERO-METOffices(ICAO)

SynopticMET

Offices(WMO)

AirlineOperators& Aircrew

Briefing

MWOsof

AdjacentFIRs

VolcanoObservatories

(WOVO)

WAFSSATELLITEBROADCAST

WORLDAREA

FORECASTCENTRES

Area ControlCentre (ACC)

MET WatchOffice (MWO)

Volcanic AshAdvisory Centres

(VAAC)

other VAACs

Figure 6-1. Organization of International Airways Volcano Watch

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EFFECT OF RECENT ERUPTIONS

• No respite in the recent past

• Economic cost estimation of U$ 250 Millions – Between 1982-2000

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EFFECT OF RECENT ERUPTIONS

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ISSUES TO BE SOLVED/ADDRESSED

• Timely notification– e.g. Infrasonics network (CTBTO)

• Communications difficulties between observing sources and ACCs, MWOs and VAACs

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GUIDANCE MATERIAL

• Handbook on the IAVW (DOC 9766)– Second edition in 2004

• Manual on Volcanic Ash (DOC 9691)– Currently in updating process

• Training aids– “Volcanic ash avoidance” (Video)– “Warning-If you inadvertently enter a volcanic ash

cloud” (Poster)

• World Map of Volcanoes and Principal Aeronautical Features– Conjoint effort

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• “ Given the safety and economic implications of volcanic ash to aircraft operations, it is necessary to maintain the ICAO International Airways Volcano Watch in much the same way that the aerodrome fire services are maintained: in constant readiness but with the fervent hope that it rarely has to be used”