Chad is the editor of AINalerts, AIN's daily business aviation newsletter, and is also the news editor at AIN Media Group.&nbsp;He has been writing about aviation, with an emphasis on business aviation, since 1994. Chad started his writing career at The Avion,&nbsp;the&nbsp;student newspaper at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University in Daytona Beach, Florida, serving as editor-in-chief before graduating with a bachelor's in aeronautical science. After a stint as managing editor at Professional Pilot&nbsp;magazine, he joined&nbsp;AIN in late 1998. Chad holds a commercial pilot certificated with instrument and multi-engine ratings, and he also is a CFI/CFII. He lives and works from his home in Venice, Florida.

Online Editor

Chad Trautvetter

Business aircraft hourly-cost maintenance program provider Jet Support Services (JSSI) is warning operators about the damage risks to aircraft flying near volcanic ash clouds in the wake of last week’s Calbuco eruption some 620 miles south of Santiago, Chile. JSSI issued a note to clients, especially those based in Chile and Argentina, to make sure they are aware of the eruption and to emphasize that exposure to volcanic ash can cause damage to both airframe and engine components.

 


“This type of foreign material damage is typically not covered by maintenance programs,” said JSSI president and CEO Neil Book, “so it is even more important that we put our clients in a position to take the appropriate preventive measures. We encourage operators to be aware of the situation and check with their local authorities for volcanic ash warnings and guidelines.”

 


According to JSSI senior vice president for strategic event management and fleet support George Kleros, “Today’s aircraft engines operate at higher temperatures and have [tighter] tolerances than their predecessors, so volcanic ash exposure can have serious consequences. If an engine is exposed to ash, it might need to be removed from service, disassembled and cleaned. A compressor wash is not recommended.” Engines that might have been exposed to contaminants from a volcanic eruption should have their operating parameters verified and possibly be borescoped to inspect the compressor section&nbsp;visually, Kleros said.

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