Sir - Having read several articles concerning extended-range twinjet-operations (ETOPS) aircraft, I have been increasingly disturbed by the headlong rush which appears to be being conducted by the world's airlines into ETOPS operations.
The US Federal Aviation Administration is being applauded for changing the rules to allow the Boeing 777 to enter service immediately. There has been a saga of problems with the 777's engines. Pacific airfields are being downgraded, bringing into doubt the feasibility of ETOPS across the Pacific.
If a survey were to be conducted and if passengers were asked about how they would feel about being on an airliner with, say, 1,300nm (2,400km) to go and one engine to accomplish the journey, the answer would be one of anxiety.
I believe that the commercial-aviation industry is not honest with its customers.
BUD ELLIS
Lymington, Hampshire
Source: Flight International
