I think the important thing about the whole tone of the Telegraph piece come from the first sentence:
"[The Met Office] has been accused of using a scientific model based on "probability" rather than fact to forecast the spread of the volcanic ash cloud..."
Firstly, and on a purely grammatical/logical basis - the fact that it is a forecast surely precludes fact anywhere other than as a starting point
Secondly, it raise interesting questions about the public acceptance of occasions when the precautionary principle is applied to an area of scientific doubt. To me this was clearly the right thing to do, there is a general understanding that ash affects jet engines (see 1982 event) but there is no tested limits at which safe flying becomnes unsafe.
I agree with Michael that much of the airlines responses are motivated by commerical pressures (and possibly Political ones too) but a question I am asking is - why in the 25+ years since the BA jet had its problems have the airlines/engine manufacturers not undertaken the basic safety testing required to determine what is and what isn't safe?
Bruce
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