Volcanic ash advisories (Montréal VAAC)

Volcanic ash is a SIGMET hazard (MET 6.2 (j)). Before flight near volcanic activity, check:

• Latest SIGMET.
• Volcanic ash advisory (VAA): issued by Montréal VAAC, a unit of ECCC (MET 13.0).
• SIGWX chart: volcanic eruption symbol: check SIGMET and NOTAM or ASHTAM for ash (MET 12.2 (j)).

Even light (LGT) ash is dangerous:

• Turbine engine flameouts attributed to light ash up to 1,000 NM from source (MET 13.0).
• Not the 2,400 NM / 72 h performance-encounter range (AIR 2.6).

Trap: assuming light ash is safe. Flameouts were attributed to light ash up to 1,000 NM away.

Practice