Comments Due on ETOPS Proposal

January 13 is the closing date for comments on the FAA’s proposal to establish rules covering extended twin-engine operations (ETOPS) applicable to Part 121 and 135 operations. The vast majority of the more than 60 comments submitted by press time supported the proposed ETOPS thresholds of 180 minutes for Part 135 and 207 minutes for Part 121. However, a couple of pilots were opposed to ETOPS on the theory that losing an engine on a twinjet could lead to a breakdown of other critical systems that could seriously complicate or diminish the ability to divert to a suitable airport on one engine.