The Federal Aviation Administration may be receptive to a request that would allow Boeing's 777 to fly further from land on transpacific routes. Boeing and four US airlines - American Airlines, Continental Airlines, Delta Air Lines and United Airlines - have asked the FAA to raise the 777's extended-range twin-engine operations (ETOPS) rating by 15% from 180min to 207min.
Tom McSweeny, FAA associate administrator for aircraft certifications, says that engines on 777s and other new twin-engined jets are twice as reliable as when the agency set its standards years ago, prompting the FAA to launch a broad policy review that could result in relaxed ratings.
The 15% requested extension would allow 777s to fly 27 minutes farther from emergency airports in the Aleutians and Russia's Far East. When winter weather closes some of those airports, a gap ranging from 4-13min could bar 777s from crossing the Pacific. In good weather, extended ETOPS would allow airlines to shave as much as 30min off a San Francisco-Tokyo non-stop service.
The Airline Pilots' Association conditionally supports the proposed change if combined with other safety rules. But American's pilots have resisted the move. In part, they object to the FAA considering the issue as a policy change rather than a regulation, thereby avoiding hearings and other procedures. But American's pilots also claim a longer ETOPS raises risks.
Source: Airline Business
