ETOPS

[jfb]

Hi Dan,

I think implementing ETOPS into FSP would be a nice addition. Violating ETOPS will result in panalty points for the pilot. Did you ever think of
adding this feature?

ETOPS (Extended-range Twin-engine Operational Performance Standards) is an acronym for an International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) rule
permitting twin-engined commercial air transports to fly routes that, at some points, are farther than a distance of 60 minutes flying time from an
emergency or diversion airport. This definition allows twin-engined airliners—such as the Airbus A300, A320, and A330 families, and the Boeing 737,
757, 767, and 777—to fly long distance routes (especially over water, desert or remote polar areas) that were previously off-limits to twin-engined
aircraft. ETOPS is sometimes read (humorously) as Engines Turning or Passengers Swim. ETOPS may be replaced by a newer system, referred to as LROPS
(Long Range Operational Performance Standards), which will affect all aircraft, not merely those with a twin-engine configuration.

THE NUMBERS ARE MINUTES!!!

The following ratings are awarded under current regulations according the capability of the airline:

* ETOPS-75
* ETOPS-90
* ETOPS-120/138
* ETOPS-180/207

However, ratings for ETOPS type approval are fewer. They are:

* ETOPS-90, which keeps pre-ETOPS Airbus A300B4 legally operating under current rules
* ETOPS-120/138
* ETOPS-180/207, which covers 95% of the earth's surface.

There are proposals (notably by Boeing and ALPA) forwarded to FAA to extend beyond ETOPS 180/207 to ETOPS-240, with a possible 330minute certification
on a case-by-case basis, for Antarctic and South Pacific operations. The proposed changes were issued by FAA in 2004 for public comment. However JAA
(now EASA ) and other parties including several international organisations do not agree, and a stalemate has ensued. EASA has their own draft rules
for flights beyond 180-min diversion time), but a failure to standardize has meant that the 180/207 rating remains the maximum today.

[gronji2004]

WOW - Very confusing !

[jfb]

Some more info about ETOPS:

In 1988, the FAA amended the ETOPS regulation to allow the extension to 180 minutes diversion period subject to stringent technical and operational
qualifications. This made 95% of the earth's surface available to ETOPS flights. The first such flight was conducted in 1989. This set of regulations
was subsequently adopted by the Joint Aviation Authorities (JAA), ICAO and other aviation regulatory bodies worldwide.

In this manner 757 series, 767 series, some Boeing 737 series, the Airbus A300-600, A310 series, A320 series and the A330 series were approved for
ETOPS operations. The success of ETOPS aircraft like 767 and 777 killed the intercontinental trijets. This ultimately led Boeing to end the MD-11
program a few years after Boeing's merger with McDonnell Douglas, as well as to scale down the production of its own 747.

The North Atlantic airways are the most heavily utilized oceanic routes in the world. Most are conveniently covered by ETOPS-120min rules, removing
the necessity of utilizing 180-min rules. However, many of the North Atlantic diversion airports, especially those in Iceland and Greenland, are
frequently subject to adverse weather conditions making them unavailable for use. As the 180-min rules is the upper limit, the JAA has given 15%
extension to the 120-min rules to deal with such contingencies, giving the ETOPS-138min thereby allowing ETOPS flights with such airports closed.

In the North Pacific, ETOPS-180 (180 minutes) is satisfied by the availability of airports in the Aleutians Islands and Midway Atoll. As the Aleutians
airports are prone to adverse weather conditions and volcanic activities, Boeing subsidised construction of the Midway Atoll diversion airport to
enable the 777 to fly the North Pacific routes. After a petition from Boeing and United Airlines, in 2001, the FAA allowed a 15% extension to the
ETOPS-180 rules bringing them to ETOPS-207. The approval is granted only to the 777. This approval is granted only if Northern Pacific route diversion
airports are closed.

However, the JAA differed because it was argued that ETOPS-180 is already the upper limit and such extension may compromise safety as the airliners
are only certified for at most, the ETOPS-180 rating. This difference remains to this day.
[edit]

Early ETOPS
Boeing 777-200ER.
Enlarge
Boeing 777-200ER.

The regulations allow an airliner to have ETOPS-120 rating on its entry into service. ETOPS-180 is only possible after 1 year of trouble-free 120-min
ETOPS experience. Boeing has convinced the FAA that it could deliver an airliner with ETOPS-180 on its entry into service. This process is called
Early ETOPS. Thus the Boeing 777 was the first aircraft to carry an ETOPS rating of 180-min at its introduction.

The Joint Aviation Authorities, however disagreed and the Boeing 777 was rated ETOPS-120 in Europe on its entry into service. European airlines
operating the 777 must demonstrate 1 year of trouble-free 120-min ETOPS experience before obtaining 180-min ETOPS for the 777.

[Mac]

It sounds like a good idea implementing ETOPS into FSP, but I would think the default FS9 flight planner would put problems on it. Lets be honest, is
not great, Who's idea was it to make a flight plan from London to Chicago via north-west Alaska!?

[jfb]

Then the pilot would have to enter certain waypoints into flight planner prior to take-off to match ETOPS requirements. Would be a challenge of
course, but in real life pilots also have to do it.

[Chris41]

I've heard ETOPS metioned several times...was thinking about looking that up the other day. Good info

[AKLupine]

The whole extended twin ops bit sounds nice, but what ETOPS really means is Engines Turn Or Passengers Swim