FLYING DRONES IN THE VOLCANIC ERUPTION OF LA PALMA.

AS THE PILOTS LIVED IT.

It was a continuous learning experience for all pilots to fly drones in such a difficult environment, and it is true that a large number of drones were lost. But none due to a collision with another aircraft. From the first days we learnt a lot about flying drones in a volcano, for example at first the ash clouds were not considered a threat, until we became aware of the impact of these stones on the drone motors and even the camera lenses.

I still remember flying into the crater of the volcano and suddenly seeing the stones raining down in front of the camera.

It is also remarkable the great impact that the wind had on these scenarios because it could play in our favour but also against us. The trade winds, so characteristic of the Canary Islands, usually blow from the north-east. Therefore they swept the ashes in the direction of Las Manchas, which left the Tacande take-off area clean of gases and ash.  This in turn made flying in the Las Manchas area practically impossible. The wind also worked against us to bring the drone back to the landing zone, as flying into the crater was downwind, but coming back was usually upwind, so battery management during the volcano flights was critical. The wind was very changeable as were the thermal inversion layers over the lava flows and lava rivers, which could produce sudden changes in the air currents. More than a few drones were left halfway back, due to lack of battery power to return to the area of origin.