All this business of changing the rules on ETOPS/LROPS will, no doubt, cause a moment of reflection to the more senior total aviation people out there. Twins are so reliable now, apparently, that there will be virtually no practical limit to their operation other than how many loo rolls you can take. In fact, your uncle has been told that, for this very reason, ETOPS will in future stand for extended toilet operations.
Incidentally, does anyone recall the story of the Hawker Hunter pilot who had engine trouble and diverted to RAF Mildenhall? ATC informed him that he was number two on long finals behind a B-52 which had one engine shut down.
"Of course," said the gracious Hunter jock. "Can't be easy handling the dreaded seven-engine approach."
Source: Flight International
