Newark777 From United States, joined Dec 2004, 8796 posts, RR: 39 Reply 1, posted (3 years 4 months 3 weeks 17 hours ago) and read 722 times:
Engines Turn or People Swim
No, really, it is a certification that mean the aircraft can fly a certain distance on only one engine, and it is used on twins. If it was an ETOPS 180 rating, for example, it always has to be within 180 minutes flight time of a suitable diversion airport, in case there is an engine failure. And it really means Extended Twin-Engine Operations.
EDIT: Just checked again, and I think the full title is Extended-range Twin-engine Operation Performance Standards. I was close.
just kidding - "Extended-Range Twin-Engine Operations"
Certifying for ETOPS allows an aircraft with 2 engines to fly a certain length of time between alternate airports capable of handling an emergency with that aircraft. Most ETOPS emergencies, however, are medical emergencies and not a mechanical problem with the aircraft.
Certifying for ETOPS allows an aircraft with 2 engines to fly a certain length of time between alternate airports capable of handling an emergency with that aircraft. Most ETOPS emergencies, however, are medical emergencies and not a mechanical problem with the aircraft.
Well I was going to say that but i guess you covered it all!
PADSpot From Germany, joined Jan 2005, 1667 posts, RR: 4 Reply 4, posted (3 years 4 months 3 weeks 16 hours ago) and read 630 times:
Quoting AirportGal (Reply 2): Most ETOPS emergencies, however, are medical emergencies and not a mechanical problem with the aircraft.
Well, but then it isn't an ETOPS-related emergency anymore. In such an event any 4-holer would also approach the next airport with appropriate medical facilities.
Interestingly ETOPS is not only important for over-water flights. There are some spots in the Sahara desert that are taboo for twins that are not certified for ETOPS 138 or higher...
PanAm747 From United States, joined Feb 2004, 4026 posts, RR: 6 Reply 5, posted (3 years 4 months 3 weeks 16 hours ago) and read 587 times:
Here is the reason we have ETOPS:
In the beginning...
Transatlantic planes originally had four engines - partly this was because airplanes needed large amounts of thrust (not available from just two engines at this time, propeller or jet), and reliability was not what it is today. If one engine gave out, you would still have 75% of the available power from the other three engines. Even the catastrophic loss of two engines would not be a total loss, as power is still being supplied from elsewhere.
A two-engine plane would only have 50% of its power available, and that sometimes might not be sufficient, so two-engine jets were considered suitable only for small planes. A rule was set that if a two engine plane was crossing an ocean, it had to remain within 60 minutes of the nearest suitable airport in case of a diversion.
Engine technology, however, has advanced light-years beyond anything the original designers could have believed possible. The 777 are almost the size of the fuselage of the original 707 jet and are exponentially more powerful and reliable, allowing the "Extended Twin Operations". At first, the rule was modified to allow ETOPS flight 120 minutes from a diversion airport, and has been further changed to 180 minutes (allowing flights to Hawai'i), and further for some carriers, if I'm not mistaken.
Boeing's 777-200LR recently completed a proving flight that flew (while empty) from Boeing Field in Washington state to Perth, Australia - on one engine - to demonstrate the power and reliability of the new engines. I believe they switched back and forth on the engines, but still, that's an amazing accomplishment!!
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HorizonGirl From Canada, joined Mar 2005, 536 posts, RR: 12 Reply 6, posted (3 years 4 months 3 weeks 15 hours ago) and read 523 times:
Quoting HighFlyer9790 (Reply 3): Well I was going to say that but i guess you covered it all!
So was I!
Quoting PanAm747 (Reply 5): Boeing's 777-200LR recently completed a proving flight that flew (while empty) from Boeing Field in Washington state to Perth, Australia - on one engine - to demonstrate the power and reliability of the new engines. I believe they switched back and forth on the engines, but still, that's an amazing accomplishment!!
That is amazing. I heard about that.
Maybe now people will be less afraid to fly, once they know how safe it is.
Anyways, this might be my last post for the Summer.
I'm having guests over for Summer vacation, and they could
care less about aviation, leaving me no time to post!
See you in September or late August!
Devon
If at first you don't succeed, skydiving is NOT for you!
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