Glom
05-June-2006, 05:46 PM
ETOPS 330 is almost upon us! (http://www.airliners.net/discussions/general_aviation/read.main/2808016/)
Now, we could see big twins crossing the South Pacific with impunity.
But while restrictions of twin get lifted, restriction on quads get increased with LROPS, because there is the important realisation that there are plenty of things, which could go wrong, which aren't relating to the engines, like a fire or a loss of cabin pressure, or medical emergency, where being in the middle of the wide ocean is just as dangerous. So some ETOPS rules will be applied to quads and tris.
It's a twin's world these days.
For those who don't know, ETOPS stands for Extended Twin-engine Operating Performance Standards. It is the set of regulations that allows a twin to fly beyond the usual 60 minutes from the nearest suitable diversion airport. ETOPS330 aircraft will be able to fly 5½ hours away, which is enough to make the whole globe available to twins.
Now, we could see big twins crossing the South Pacific with impunity.
But while restrictions of twin get lifted, restriction on quads get increased with LROPS, because there is the important realisation that there are plenty of things, which could go wrong, which aren't relating to the engines, like a fire or a loss of cabin pressure, or medical emergency, where being in the middle of the wide ocean is just as dangerous. So some ETOPS rules will be applied to quads and tris.
It's a twin's world these days.
For those who don't know, ETOPS stands for Extended Twin-engine Operating Performance Standards. It is the set of regulations that allows a twin to fly beyond the usual 60 minutes from the nearest suitable diversion airport. ETOPS330 aircraft will be able to fly 5½ hours away, which is enough to make the whole globe available to twins.