Modification and Operation of a Comprehensively Instrumented Light Aircraft for Volcanic Ash Detection and Measurement

After the eruptions of Ejyafjallajökull in 2010 the UK Civil Aviation Authority tasked the Met Office to modify and operate an aircraft capable of detecting and measuring volcanic ash. Since the start of 2012 the Met Office Civil Contingency (MOCCA) has been ready to respond to volcanic ash and other civil contingency events to help ensure the safety of aircraft in UK airspace. MOCCA is the only aircraft in the UK able to fly in forecast mass loadings of volcanic ash greater than 4000µg/m3. This presentation will describe a suitable airframe for flying in volcanic ash, the selection and installation of scientific instrumentation, the safety procedures put in place to fly in volcanic ash, and how real time data transmitted into the Met Office Hazard Centre is integrated into the UK VAAC ash forecast.