Alas, we are not talking about the capability of the engines but instead the ability of a cloud of volcanic ash to damage them.
For all anyone knows the Germans actually took their aircraft AROUND the clouds and not through them. The Belgians probably imagined they were giant sausages in the sky and barged on through the clouds.
Goodness. The engine manufactures have field reps and these guys know the engines, know them better than anyone and they do the inspection. No engine company wants to give a ‘thumbs-up’ when there may be damage/risk. . .too much risk, especially for the guy that signs it off. How about this, why not ask to see the certifications of the Met Office dolts that made the wild claims to begin with, and based on models and not hard, observable science.
“Alas, we are not talking about the capability of the engines but instead the ability of a cloud of volcanic ash to damage them.”
That's what they and I are talking about. No damage if you fly around visible portions of the cloud.
Goodness, we do this all the time in Alaska and other places in the world. I've done it myself.
“For all anyone knows the Germans actually took their aircraft AROUND the clouds and not through them.”
Exactly. . .they avoided flying through the visible portion because we know that is not right. They flew in areas where the model predicted there would be ash and there maybe was, but it was not visible and did not cause damage. The Beljeeks flew into the visible portion, something the engine manufacturers (and Lockheed Martin) say to avoid. . .for obvious reasons.
“The Belgians probably imagined they were giant sausages in the sky and barged on through the clouds”
Yeah. . .probably did. . .