Ivatf/1-Ip/24 29/7/10
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IVATF/1-IP/24 29/7/10 INTERNATIONAL VOLCANIC ASH TASK FORCE (IVATF) FIRST MEETING Montréal, 27 to 30 July 2010 Agenda Item 9: Any other business THE NEW ZEALAND VOLCANIC ASH ADVISORY SYSTEM (Presented by New Zealand) SUMMARY This paper describes the background, purpose, functions and responsibilities in the New Zealand Volcanic Ash Advisory System. 1. INTRODUCTION 1.1 The Civil Aviation Authority of New Zealand (CAA) recognizes the New Zealand civil aviation industry’s ability to manage its operations in proximity to volcanic ash with the aid of accepted civil aviation procedures and information flow described in this paper. The Volcanic Ash Advisory System (NZVAAS) is primarily provided through the interactions of aircraft operators, Airways Corporation of New Zealand (Airways – the ATM provider) and Meteorological Service of New Zealand (MetService). There is also important ground based volcanic information input from the Institute of Geological and Nuclear Sciences (GNS – volcano observatory). 1.2 The CAA does not take any part in the provision of operational volcanic ash information; however, it does continue to promote awareness of the NZVAAS and an understanding of the volcanic ash threat to civil aviation in New Zealand. 2. DEVELOPMENT BACKGROUND 2.1 The volcanic activity of Mt Ruapehu had a significant impact on civil aviation in New Zealand during 1995 and 1996. Many flights were cancelled and many more diverted or re-routed. These episodes were the first time volcanic ash has impacted on modern aviation in New Zealand. IVATF/1-IP/24 Appendix -- 2 - New Zealand has a number of active volcanoes on or near the mainland and a number of volcanoes within its IAVW area of obligation. 2.2 The CAA operated a special Volcanic Ash Watch Office throughout the 1995/6 periods of volcanic activity at Mt Ruapehu. The Office’s prime task was to manage volcanic ash affected airspace, restricted and danger areas, through the issue of NOTAMs. This was a very expensive way of operating for the New Zealand CAA and the aviation community. 2.3 As a result a CAA and airline industry fact-finding team went to North America in July/August 1996 where it sought advice on better ways of operating/controlling aircraft near volcanic ash with minimum disruption. 2.4 Discussion with volcanoloigists and operators made it clear that there was widely acceptance that there was an increasing risk to aviation worldwide from the ejection of volcanic ash into the atmosphere. 2.5 As a result of the fact-finding mission, the way that ash affected airspace was managed and the type and volume of information available on that airspace was reviewed in New Zealand. The main issues to safely allow civil aviation to continue in proximity to volcanic ash were; ownership of the advisory system, improving alerts, improved dispersion prediction, operational communication and on- going education. 2.6 Work has continued since in New Zealand to address these issues including: awareness promotion; incorporation by airlines of procedures to routinely report volcanic and ash activity using the standard VAR forms and procedures; improved ground based monitoring of volcanoes and implemention of alert paging systems linked to seismic monitoring equipment by GNS; MetService has reviewed and strengthened its production of volcanic ash SIGMETs and its use of ash trajectory and dispersion models and Airways set up a system to manage alternative routes affected by volcanic ash and implemented a CAA defined set of standard, ready to use, Volcanic Hazard Area NOTAM. 2.7 The NZ VAAS system is tested regularly both within national emergency system tests and discretely. It has been in existence now since 1997. 3. THE NZVAAS 3.1 The attached “Living with Ash” paper is intended to illustrate the relationships between the NZVAAS participating agencies and show their various obligations in providing enhanced volcanic ash information to the civil aviation industry. In doing so it sets out supplementary procedures to the accepted ICAO practices, in particular the International Airways Volcanic Watch (IAVW) and Volcanic Ash Advisory Centre (VAAC) obligations and responsibilities. 4. ACTION BY THE MEETING 4.1 The meeting is invited to note the content of this paper and attachment. — — — — — — — — Living with Volcanic Ash Episodes in Civil Aviation The International Airways Volcano Watch (IAVW) and The New Zealand Volcanic Ash Advisory System (VAAS) Peter Lechner Updated May 2009 Version 9 Living with Volcanic Ash Episodes in Civil Aviation – VAAS/IAVW Table of Contents 0. Context ................................................................................................................... 1 1. Historical Background .................................................................................................... 1 2. The New Zealand Volcanoes ......................................................................................... 4 3. The New Zealand Volcanic Alert Level and International Colour Code Systems ......... 6 4. VAAS Participating Agency & Aircraft Operator’s Roles ............................................... 8 5. The International Airways Volcano Watch System (ICAO) .......................................... 14 6. References ................................................................................................................... 17 May 2009, Version 9 i Civil Aviation Authority of New Zealand Living with Volcanic Ash Episodes in Civil Aviation – VAAS/IAVW 0. Context 0.1 Events and experience show there is a clear and increasing risk to aviation world wide from the ejection of volcanic ash into the atmosphere. The magnitude of the risk has increased due to the enhanced technology of aircraft and engines, and the risk and consequence will continue to increase with the growth of air traffic. 0.2 The Civil Aviation Authority of New Zealand (CAA) recognises the civil aviation community’s need and ability to manage operations in proximity to volcanic ash with the aid of the accepted and prescribed domestic and international civil aviation procedures and information systems contemplated in this paper – the New Zealand Volcanic Ash Advisory System (VAAS), which is a local enhancement of the ICAO International Airways Volcano Watch system (IAVW). The VAAS is provided primarily through the interactions of aircraft operators, Airways Corporation of New Zealand (Airways) and Meteorological Service of New Zealand (MetService), with important volcanic information input from the Institute of Geological and Nuclear Sciences (GNS). 0.3 The CAA no longer takes any part in the provision of operational volcanic ash information. However, the CAA will continue to promote awareness of the VAAS, its place in international operational frameworks, and an understanding of the volcanic ash threat to civil aviation in New Zealand and the South Pacific. 0.4 The VAAS is New Zealand’s operational reflection of its aviation sector operational responsibilities and obligations under the 1944 Chicago Convention on International Civil Aviation, administrated by the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO). The particular responsibilities and obligations of each State in this regard are set out in Annex 3 to the Convention, Meteorological Services for International Air Navigation. The VAAS is concerned primarily with New Zealand airspace. 0.5 This paper is intended to illustrate the relationships between the VAAS participating agencies, bring focus to their various obligations in providing enhanced volcanic ash information to the civil aviation industry, and provide information on the international context of volcanic ash warning systems for aviation. 1. Historical Background 1.1 The volcanic activity of Mt Ruapehu had significant impact on civil aviation in New Zealand during 1995 and 1996. Many flights were cancelled and many more diverted or re-routed. These episodes were the first impact of volcanic ash on modern aviation in New Zealand. 1.2 New Zealand has a number of active volcanoes on or near the mainland and a number of volcanoes within its area of obligation. Since 1996 there have been other volcanic episodes in New Zealand and offshore in the Kermadec Islands and the South Pacific that have had some effect on civil aviation operations. 1.3 The CAA operated a special Volcanic Ash Watch Office throughout the 1995/6 periods of volcanic activity at Mt Ruapehu. The Watch Office’s prime task was to manage volcanic ash affected airspace, restricted and danger areas through the issue of NOTAM. However, this approach proved costly to both the CAA and airlines and was not as effective as required. May 2009, Version 9 1 Civil Aviation Authority of New Zealand Living with Volcanic Ash Episodes in Civil Aviation – VAAS/IAVW 1.4 As a result of the Watch Office experience, a CAA and airline fact finding team travelled to North America in July/August 1996 where it sought advice on ways of operating aircraft near volcanic ash with minimum disruption. 1.5 With regard to the recommendations of the fact finding team's report, the way that ash affected airspace was managed and the type and volume of information available on that airspace was reviewed by the CAA. There were 6 main issues to be addressed in order to safely allow civil aviation to continue in proximity to volcanic ash: (a) ownership of the volcanic ash hazards advisory system, (b) improved alerts and observations of volcanic eruptions, (c) improved tracking and drift prediction of volcanic ash, (d) appropriate communications systems