Story ID: 
ETOPS Proposal Deadline Pushed to March 15
By: Gordon Gilbert
Caption: As the result of requests to extend the deadline for comments on the FAA’s proposal to establish regulations governing flights that go beyond certain dista
Word Count: 93
As the result of requests to extend the deadline for comments on the FAA’s proposal to establish regulations governing flights that go beyond certain distances from an adequate airport (extended operations, or ETOPS) by multi-engine airplanes, the FAA has expanded the comment period. The notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) was published on November 13, and comments were due by January 13. The new comment period extends to March 15. To date the vast majority of the more than 75 comments received support the proposed ETOPS thresholds of 180 minutes for Part 135 operations and 207 minutes for Part 121 carriers.