Adds More Than 30 Minutes To Distance From Emergency Landing

The Bush administration is set to enact a new rule governing twin-engine airliner operations. When it does, aircraft such as Boeing's new 737-800 and -900 series aircraft might soon be able to fly farther from emergency airports.

Long-haul flights face unique dangers because of the distances aircraft must fly to reach an emergency landing site. Early intercontinental airliners such as Boeing's 707 and 747 were equipped with four engines because engineers believed safety was enhanced by redundancy.

As airliners with two engines became more popular -- mostly due to their fuel efficiency -- a set of rules called Extended Twin Engine Operations (ETOPS) was enacted to ensure the reduced redundancy didn't impact safety.

Current ETOPS rules limit the distance airliners can fly away from an emergency landing sites. That places restrictions on the routes airlines can fly, sometimes adding to flight times and costs.

Based on a 2003 proposal, the FAA wants to change the rule to allow airliners with two engines to fly up to four hours away from emergency landing sites. The maximum under current ETOPS is just under three-and-a-half.

The FAA has issued waivers to the current rules for twenty years and says the new rule would merely eliminate that formality. Around 30,000 flights per month fall under the current standard.

The rule change would allow airlines to save money by optimizing routes and eliminating some of their older four-engine aircraft kept around to fly routes out of ETOPS range for the twins.

FAA Administrator Marion Blakey says advances in engine technology, communication and emergency procedures make it possible to change the rule without compromising safety.

Blakey told Reuters, "I think you will see it puts an end to the two engines versus four debate and it does make possible planning for a high degree of reliability and safety."

FMI: www.faa.gov