Airbus to test ash-detector for EasyJet on A340

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Airbus is planning to test an infra-red detector which is designed to pick up traces of volcanic ash, using an A340 platform for the trial.
It is to perform the test in co-operation with UK budget airline EasyJet, a prominent Airbus customer, using technology developed by the Norwegian air research organisation Norsk Institutt for Luftforskning (NILU).
Airbus has been conducting test flights aimed at establishing the extent of the threat from volcanic ash, following the eruption in Iceland in April.
Details of the detection project are still emerging but EasyJet says the equipment is "essentially a weather-radar for ash" and claims it provides images of ash concentrations up to 100km (55nm) ahead of the aircraft.
It operates at altitudes between 5,000ft and 50,000ft, the carrier adds, and the images are also transmitted to airline operations control personnel.
The equipment, which is known as 'AVOID', has been developed by NILU senior scientist Fred Prata. He says the equipment "enhances the theory" relating to volcanic ash location with "live data".

http://www.flightglobal.com/articles/20 ... -a340.html

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