An Australian collaboration is working to commercialise the world's first detector to warn pilots of volcanic ash clouds in their flight paths. In the past 30 years, more than 90 jet aircraft have encountered ash clouds emitted from erupting volcanoes. Ash clouds are almost invisible to radar. Silicon compounds within these clouds can cause costly damage to aircraft, ranging from abrasion of windows and composite surfaces to engine destruction.
Engine failure associated with ash cloud encounters is a major safety hazard.
Rob Hulls MP, Victorian Minister for Manufacturing Industry, at the Australian International Air Show at Avalon. The instrument may also be suitable for detection of clear air turbulence and hazards such as low-level wind shear as well as for terrain avoidance. There are also potential savings to the aerospace industry, as reliable detection of ash clouds will reduce flight detours. The project will be known as Airborne Hazard Detection Technologies. It will design, certify and manufacture volcanic ash detectors in Australia, and establish new technologies using infrared techniques.