ETOPS Comes of Age

United States Federal Aviation Regulations (FARs) state that twin engine aeroplanes may not be operated over a route that contains a point further than one hour flying time (in still air at normal cruising speed with one engine inoperative) from an adequate airport unless authorised by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). FAA authorisation must then consider the character of the terrain, the type of operation and the performance of the aircraft to be used.

Prior to 1985, only a very limited number of airline operators of twin engine aeroplanes secured approval for operations in excess of 60 minutes and, in such cases, were granted authority for only 75 minutes. Early International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) guidelines limited twin engine aeroplanes to just 90 minutes at an all engine speed from a suitable alternate airport. Although a number of non-US operators conducted operations under this guideline, their twin engine operations at that time represented a very small percentage of all twin engine flights.

However, the availability a decade ago of wide-bodied twin engine airliners capable of long range flights stimulated considerable interest in the use of such aircraft for international flights. Air Canada, El Al and TWA pioneered early Boeing 767 extended range (ER) services. Air Canada began operations between Toronto and Bermuda in December 1983. El Al initiated trans-Atlantic service between Montreal and Tel Aviv in March 1984 and TWA initiated service between Boston and Paris in February 1985. Air Canada and TWA initiated their flights on the basis of 75 minutes at single engine speed from alternates while the El Al flights were conducted under the 60 minute rule. These flights, while successful, were significantly constrained by limited availability of acceptable alternates.

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