Toronto ON – Pilot Dan Baz is answering your flying questions here on the Cornwall Free News.
If you have a question about flying you can email Captain Dan or post below.
Question
Ash clouds from the volcanoes in Iceland and Chile have disrupted a lot of air travel around the world. How do the ash clouds affect commercial flights ?
Answer
Many volcanic eruptions produce ash clouds that can reach altitudes above 10,000 meters, which are typical cruising altitudes of jet aircraft. The ash particles are very abrasive. They can damage the flight deck windows to the point that the windows become opaque. It would be difficult for a pilot to land an airplane if he cannot see out. In addition, if the ash particles are ingested into jet engines they may be damaged and subsequently fail.
Question posted by Belinda.
A bit more about Captain Dan:
Captain Dan Baz enrolled in Flight School at the age of 16.
He has completed studies in Aircraft Engineering and Master of Business Administration. He has been at the controls of many different types of aircraft, from single engine Cessnas to large intercontinental jets on global routes.
Over the last four decades he has flown thousands of hours up in the blue sky.
