ETOPS

Extended-range twin-engine operations, ETOPS, is the name given to the ability of aircraft to receive approval from the US Federal Aviation Authority (FAA) and the European Joint Aviation Authority (JAA) for extended flights of more than one hour’s diversion time from alternate airports on one engine. Boeing is requesting 180 minute ETOPS from the FAA and 120 minute ETOPS from the JAA. The longer ETOPS is for flights over the Pacific while two hour ETOPS is sufficient for cross-Atlantic flights. Normally, ETOPS certification is approved after one to two years of airline service to demonstrate reliability, but Boeing is seeking that approval upon delivery. Longer ETOPS certification allows more direct routing, economizing both time and fuel.

Originally developed by Shadd Shokralla