Chaos theory: Does the flap of a butterfly’s wings in Brazil set off a tornado in Texas?
Aviation theory: does an event in Iceland set off massive disruption in the UK?
From the NATS Aeronautical Information Service:
Q) EGXX/QAFXX/IV/NBO/E/000/999/5614N00148W390
B) FROM: 10/04/15 06:00C) TO: 10/04/15 11:59E) A VOLCANIC ASH CLOUD, ORIGINATING IN ICELAND, IS HAVING A
MAJOR IMPACT AFFECTING UK AIRSPACE.
UK AREA AFFECTED:
610000N 0100000W
610000N 0000000W
600000N 0000000W
570000N 0050000E
550000N 0050000E
532100N 0033000W
512700N 0053000W
535514N 0053000W
592000N 0045400W
605000N 0100000W
610000N 0100000W
OPERATORS SHOULD REFER TO VA ADVISORY 1004150000 FOR FURTHER
INFORMATION.
IN ACCORDANCE WITH ICAO VOLCANIC ASH CONTINGENCY PLAN, NO IFR
CLEARANCE WILL BE ISSUED FOR PENETRATION OF THE FORECAST CONTAMINATED
AREA THAT LIES WITHIN UK AIRSPACE.
Translation: if you can see the cloud, get away from it and land. If you can’t see the cloud, keep a lookout. If you happen to enter the cloud, you have broken the rules of the air and will likely be in deep dogshit. Although that will be the least of your problems.
In Aviation, the text above is called Notice to Air Man (NOTAM) or also called ASHTAM, precaution advice for Pilots concerning volcanoes activities. No IFR (Instrument Flight Rules) clerance, means that only Visual Flight Rules (VFR) permitted.