Air ambulance affected by volcanic ash

[slinkycat]

Just read that some air ambulance crews have been grounded because of the volcanic ash, I don't understand why, as the cloud is at 20,000-35,000 feet, and helicopters obviously fly at a much lower altitude.
Anyone know the reason?

[ELVIS68]

Probably because some of the volcanic ash clouds have dropped to lower levels

[jno]

it's getting a lot lower

http://news.bbc.co.uk.../scotland/8623950.stm

[hc4361]

"This is because the helicopter's manufacturers cannot guarantee its engines will not be affected by the ash. "
http://www.thisisloca...rounds_Air_Ambulance/

So it is all down to liability and compensation.

[slinkycat]

Thanks guys, but.....that link doesn't actually say the cloud is getting lower, just that a minimal amount of dust has fallen, which I'm guessing is inevitable.
I read a quote from an air ambulance guy who was pretty peed off, he said flying conditions were normal, would be awful if anyone died because of lack of air ambulance.
Maybe they are being over cautious, but then again they have to think of the crew as well

[slinkycat]

Thanks hc, that would explain it

[ABerrant]

Indeed, nothing at all to do with dropping out of the sky then because we all know that helicopters are easier to control than planes during an unpowered descent resulting from engine failure.

[anotheoldgit]

I understand the grounding of large passenger carrying jets, if anything was to happen to one of these the costs not only in lives but also in compensation etc.would be phenomenal.

I think like everything these days it is a little over-reaction plus health & safety.
They have used planes to monitor the volcano, one could not get nearer than that. .

[northernmonkey]

If same applies to police helicopters, will suit all those who lose pursuing police and would be interesting if Police confirmed this to be true or false on Monday once the flight bans are over

[anotheoldgit]

/// Only a limited number of flights could run to and from Northern Ireland and parts of Scotland but most of the nation's airports were at a standstill.///

A report from today's Daily Mail.

Why are these flights allowed, I would have thought these were the worst areas?