Flying through the ash is like dancing with a giant dragon—adrenaline high, but your eyes and your instruments are all the way to the other side. From the cockpit you get a panoramic view of the eruption’s heartbeat, but the plume can swallow the sky and twist the wind so fast you could get blown off course in seconds. From the ground you’re safe from the flying ash, but you’re stuck on the edge of a crater, and the heat and pressure make the whole place a tinderbox. The trade‑off? If you want the raw, unfiltered roar and the chance to capture those perfect shots, you’re in the jet. If you want to keep your life, keep your equipment, and still get close, you’re better off on a sturdy platform with a long‑range camera. The sky’s a beautiful, dangerous curtain—pick your side and watch the show.