1

IAVWOPSG/4-WP/29
/
International Civil Aviation Organization
WORKING PAPER / IAVWOPSG/4-WP/29
8/7/08

INTERNATIONAL AIRWAYS VOLCANO WATCH OPERATIONS GROUP (IAVWOPSG)

FOURTH MEETING

Paris, France, 15 to 19 September 2008

Agenda Item / 5: / Operation of the IAVWOPSG
5.2: / Improvement of the format and content of all volcanic ash related messages

Need for additional information in the Handbook on the International Airways Volcano

Watch (IAVW) Operational Procedures and Contact List (DOC9766)

(Presented by Canada and United States)

SUMMARY
This paper recommends that a list of VAAC Volcanic Ash Advisory (VAA) product headers be included within the IAVW Handbook (ICAO DOC 9766). This would simplify the process for users to access critical information quickly.

1.INTRODUCTION

1.1During an event in 2007, there was some confusion on how to access the Volcanic Ash Advisory (VAA) being issued by one of the Volcanic Ash Advisory Centres (VAAC) through the World Meteorological Organization’s (WMO) Global Telecommunications System (GTS). No reference material could be found to identify the communication headers being used by the VAAC to issue their VAA, therefore it was unclear as to under what headers to look for the current VAA.

2.Discussion

2.1The GTS relies on set communication headers to distribute products. In order to route the distribution of products on the GTS the product headers must be known and programmed into the system.

2.2Each VAAC currently has a list of product headers to issue their VAA and will also eventually for their VAG.

2.3To facilitate the quick identification of the product communication headers utilized by each VAAC, it is proposed to add a quick reference listing by VAAC of the product communication headers into the Handbook on the International Airways Volcano Watch (IAVW) — Operational Procedures and Contact List (Doc9766).

2.4This listing would be then be updated as need when additional products become available.

3.CONCLUSION

3.1It is recommended that the Meeting ask the Secretary to consider adding a page in Doc9766 that list the VAA headers being utilized by each VAAC.

3.2To help initiate the listing, an appendix based on information available in February 2008 is included in the pages that follow.

3.3It is also recommended that the Meeting discuss the possibility of doing the same with the VAG.

3.4Therefore, the group may wish to formulate the following conclusion:

Conclusion 4/.. — Volcanic ash advisories headers
That the Secretariat included in Doc9766, Handbook on the International Airways Volcano Watch (IAVW) — Operational Procedures and Contact List the list of volcanic ash advisories headers being used by each VAAC.

4.ACTION BY THE IAVWOPSG

4.1The IAVWOPSG is invited to:

a)note the information on this paper; and

b)decide on the draft conclusion proposed for the group’s consideration.

— — — — — — — —

A-1 / IAVWOPSG/4-WP/29
Appendix
IAVWOPSG/4-WP/29
Appendix

APPENDIX

List of VAA and VAG headers

*** Based on information available in February 2008 ***

*** NEEDS TO BE UPDATED ***

Toulouse

VAA Headers VAG Headers

T4 format png format

FVXX01 LFPW PFXD01 LFPW PFXD06 LFPW

FVXX02 LFPW PFXD02 LFPW PFXD07 LFPW

FVXX03 LFPW PFXD03 LFPW PFXD08 LFPW

FVXX04 LFPW PFXD04 LFPW PFXD09 LFPW

FVXX05 EGRR (for London backup) PFXD05 EGRR (png format for London)

ANCHORAGE

VAA Headers VAG Headers

FVAK21 PAWU PFXD21 PAWU

FVAK22 PAWU PFXD22 PAWU

FVAK23 PAWU PFXD23 PAWU

FVAK24 PAWU PFXD24 PAWU

FVAK25 PAWU PFXD25 PAWU

Model output

PHBE10 KWBC (12-24 hr)
PHBI10 KWBC (36-48 hr)

WASHINGTON

VAA Headers VAG Headers

FVXX20 KNES PFXD20 KNES

FVXX21 KNES PFXD21 KNES

FVXX22 KNES PFXD22 KNES

FVXX23 KNES PFXD23 KNES

FVXX24 KNES PFXD24 KNES

FVXX25 KNES PFXD25 KNES

FVXX26 KNES PFXD26 KNES

FVXX27 KNES PFXD27 KNES

Model output

PHBE10 KWBC (12-24 hr)
PHBI10 KWBC (36-48 hr)

LONDON

VAA Headers VAG Headers

FVXX01 EGRR PFXD01 EGRR

FVXX02 EGRR PFXD02 EGRR

FVXX03 EGRR PFXD03 EGRR

FVXX05 EGRR (for Toulouse backup) PFXD05 EGRR (for Toulouse backup)

TOKYO

VAA Headers VAG Headers

FVFE01 RJTD unknown at this time

VAG in T4 by March 2008

Model output

QHVA10 RJTD and QHVA15 RJTD

MONTREAL

VAA Headers VAG Headers

FVCN01 CWAO

FVCN02 CWAO

FVCN03 CWAO*

FVCN04 CWAO*

* These headers would also be used by VAAC Washington when backing up VAAC Montreal

WELLINGTON

VAA Header VAG Headers

FVPS01 NZKL

DARWIN

VAA Headers VAG Headers

FVAU01 ADRM PFXD01 ADRM

FVAU02 ADRM PFXD02 ADRM

FVAU03 ADRM PFXD03 ADRM

FVAU04 ADRM PFXD04 ADRM

FVAU05 ADRM PFXD05 ADRM

FVAU06 ADRM PFXD06 ADRM

FVAU07 ADRM PFXD07 ADRM

FVAU08 ADRM PFXD08 ADRM

FVAU09 ADRM PFXD09 ADRM

FVAU10 ADRM PFXD10 ADRM

BUENOS AIRES

VAA Headers

FVAG01 SABM

— END —