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IAVWOPSG/4-WP/22
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International Civil Aviation Organization
WORKING PAPER / IAVWOPSG/4-WP/22
19/6/08

INTERNATIONAL AIRWAYS VOLCANO WATCH OPERATIONS GROUP (IAVWOPSG)

FOURTH MEETING

Paris, France, 15 to 19 September 2008

Agenda Item / 5: / Operation of the IAVWOPSG
5.1: / Implementation of the IAVW, including the IAVW Management Report

AVAILABILITY OF A TRAINING VIDEO ON VOLCANIC ASH

(Presented by the United States and Air Line Pilots’ Associations (ALPA)

SUMMARY
This paper recommends that the International Civil Aviation Organization provide a link on the International Airways Volcano Watch Operations Group web page access to the training video on the hazards of volcanic ash. An earlier video was produced by the Boeing Company in 1993 and is still an excellent pilot training aid. However, plans and procedures have been significantly updated since that earlier production, and this dramatization highlights all of the latest information available.

1.INTRODUCTION

1.1At the third meeting of International Airways Volcano Watch Operations Group, Conclusion 3/8, Improvement in the reporting of volcanic ash by airlines, invited IATA and IFALPA to stress the importance of reporting volcanic activity to the appropriate facilities. In response to this conclusion, the Air Line Pilots’ Association (ALPA)led the development of a training film to supplement a film provided on the hazards of volcanic ash 15 years ago.

1.2The film produced is part of an out reach program on the need to educate pilots of the importance in timely reporting of volcanic eruptions, volcanic ash location, volcanic ash encounters and the latest developments in the monitoring and detection of volcanic ash.

2.Discussion

2.1In order to develop and provide a training film on volcanic ash, the ALPA led an effort in cooperation with the United States Geological Survey (USGS), Airline Dispatchers Federation (ADF), the Washington Volcanic Ash Advisory Center (VAAC), and the Alaska VAAC. United Airlines allowed filming at it’s the Airlines Operations Center and provided access to a B747-400 aircraft simulator to enhance the training quality of the film for pilots.

2.2The video emphasizes the dangers associated with volcanic ash, appropriate procedures that are to be used if an encounter is to occur, and actions that are expected from the flight crew in reporting volcanic activity.

2.3ALPA provided the studio and taping and with the United Airlines aircraft simulator they were able to provide a realistic dispatcher enactment of an emergency situation of an aircraft that has inadvertently entered volcanic ash.

2.4The video taping and editing is completed and the video will be available to those who request a copy. However, the ALPA association has only a limited number of copies that can be provided.

2.5As a means to ensure that the video receives the greatest distribution, it is suggested that a link be provided on ICAO IAVWOPSG Web page where those who are interested can access the video and download a copy for training purposes. The ALPA web page will offer access to and download of the training video.

3.Conclusion

3.1Therefore, the following conclusion is proposed that will invite ICAO to provide this link on the ICAO IAVWOPSG web page as follows:

Conclusion 4/xx ― / Provision of volcanic ash training video
That ICAO be invited to provide a link on the IAWVOPSG web page to allow access to the training video on volcanic ash and informStates and interested international organizationsaccordingly.

4.ACTION BY THE IAVWOPSG

4.1The IAVWOPSG is invited to:

a)note the information in this paper; and

b)decide on the draft conclusion proposed for the group’s consideration.

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