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BL Choy edited this page Jul 26, 2021 · 18 revisions

--- Draft (First created on 21 Jul 2021. To be reviewed by TT-AvData members ---

Proposed amendment (Amendment 81) to Annex 3/PANS-MET approved by ICAO METP

The proposed amendments were discussed and approved at METP/5 (Jun 2021) for ANC's consideration.

Details of the proposed changes

Proposal I: Provision of Volcano Observatory Notice for Aviation (VONA) by State Volcano Observatories (SVO)

  1. Relevant discussions at METP/5:

    • (Report to Agenda Item 7. Para. 7.1.5) The meeting discussed the merits of the elevation of the VONA in abbreviated plain language and/or in IWXXM... However, the meeting noted the contrary concerns relating to the limited ability of users or user systems to utilise IWXXM information and therefore a staged approach from abbreviated plain language (also referred to as TAC) to IWXXM should be adopted.

  2. See the extracted [Template for Volcano Observatory Notice to Aviation (VONA)]{https://github.com/blchoy/iwxxm-testbedOne/files/6875230/Proposed_TAC_Template_for_VONA.pdf} from the proposed text in working paper METP/5-WP/4102.

  3. Other requirements mentioned in the proposed text include:

    • (PANS-MET/Para. 6.1.6) VONA shall be in abbreviated plain language, using approved ICAO abbreviations and numerical values of self-explanatory nature, and shall be in accordance with the template shown in Appendix 7, Table A7-1. When no approved ICAO abbreviations are available, English plain language text, kept to a minimum, shall be used to describe elements for which the template allows the use of free text.

    • (PANS-MET/Para 6.1.8) Only the following aviation colour codes shall be reported in the VONA:

      1. GREEN — the volcano is in a normal, non-eruptive state; or, volcanic activity is considered to have ceased, and the volcano has reverted to its normal, non-eruptive state;
      2. YELLOW — the volcano is experiencing signs of elevated unrest above known background levels; or, volcanic activity has decreased significantly but continues to be closely monitored for possible renewed increase;
      3. ORANGE — the volcano is exhibiting heightened unrest with increased likelihood of an eruption; or a volcanic eruption is underway but with no or minor volcanic ash emission;
      4. RED — a volcanic eruption is expected to be imminent with significant emission of volcanic ash into the atmosphere likely; or, a volcanic eruption is underway with significant emission of volcanic ash into the atmosphere; and
      5. UNASSIGNED — there is insufficient information available to assess the current status of the volcano or volcanic activity.

      Note.— The aviation colour code applies only to current volcanic activity associated with a volcano and does not apply to re-suspended volcanic ash

    • (PANS-MET/Para. 6.1.9) ... Further information on VONA is included in the Handbook on the International Airways Volcano Watch (IAVW) - Operational Procedures and Contact List (Doc 9766).

    Analysis

    TBI

Proposal II: Consequential changes to the template for advisory information on volcanic ash with the introduction of VONA

  1. Relevant discussions at METP/5:

    • (Report to Agenda Item 7. Para. 7.1.7) The meeting further noted with the elevation of the VONA to a recommended practice, the work stream agreed to remove the aviation colour code from the VAA template, to reduce the likelihood of conflicting information and any confusion when an aviation colour code is not able to be provided within the VAA, due to the volcano not being able to be monitored adequately...
    • (Report to Agenda Item 7. Para. 7.1.9) The meeting was further informed that the work stream discussed improvement of VAA template to more clearly indicate available information in an initial VAA (issued in the initial stages of a new eruption, when dispersion model information may not be available) and re-broadcast VAA (refers to another VAAC’s VAA that describes volcanic ash affecting area of responsibilities of the both VAACs)...

  2. See the extracted [Template for advisory information on volcanic ash]{https://github.com/blchoy/iwxxm-testbedOne/files/6875300/Proposed_TAC_Template_for_VAA.pdf} from the proposed text in working paper METP/5-WP/4102.

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