ETOPS ... When?
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ETOPS ... When?
Question from altariste:
Adequate/suitable alternate
Regarding this subject, I would like to solve one little question:
ETOPS definition call for an ETOPS SEGMENT when we are more than 60 m from any adequate aerodrome. EASY.
A s far as we fly within this threshold distance we are not flying ETOPS ¿RIGHT?
If an adequate aerodrome doesnot have anything to do with weather conditions at the airport, ¿ Could we fly within 60minutes from airports closed cause of weather and still not being consider as ETOPS?
JAR OPS 1.245 state thet " Any operations planned to fly a twin engined public transport aeroplane beyond threshold distance from an adequate aerodrome will be considered to be ETOPS"
When dispatching an ETOPS flight route should be within distance to suitable airports, not enough adequate ones. ¿WHY?
I think definition does not match real operations, because when dispatching we are looking for suitable airports and not adequates. When airbone we should remain in distance to open weather alternates, adequates are not enough.
This mess could be solved if adequates satisfies just landing weather minima and suitables planning minima.
Anyone out there can explain this, I´m sure I am missing some point. SORRY FOR THE POST LENGHT.
I cannot find answer.
Many thanks.
Adequate/suitable alternate
Regarding this subject, I would like to solve one little question:
ETOPS definition call for an ETOPS SEGMENT when we are more than 60 m from any adequate aerodrome. EASY.
A s far as we fly within this threshold distance we are not flying ETOPS ¿RIGHT?
If an adequate aerodrome doesnot have anything to do with weather conditions at the airport, ¿ Could we fly within 60minutes from airports closed cause of weather and still not being consider as ETOPS?
JAR OPS 1.245 state thet " Any operations planned to fly a twin engined public transport aeroplane beyond threshold distance from an adequate aerodrome will be considered to be ETOPS"
When dispatching an ETOPS flight route should be within distance to suitable airports, not enough adequate ones. ¿WHY?
I think definition does not match real operations, because when dispatching we are looking for suitable airports and not adequates. When airbone we should remain in distance to open weather alternates, adequates are not enough.
This mess could be solved if adequates satisfies just landing weather minima and suitables planning minima.
Anyone out there can explain this, I´m sure I am missing some point. SORRY FOR THE POST LENGHT.
Many thanks.
Could we fly within 60minutes from airports closed cause of weather and still not being consider as ETOPS?
Remember, ETOPS is a relatively new phenomenon. Before it's invention, people flew twins all over the world without needing to have a weather-suitable airport en route, just an adequate one within 60mins. It wasn't until the invention of ETOPS with the requirement to have a SUITABLE (Adequate plus weather) airport within the ETOPS threshold that confusion crept in as to whether or not weather made a difference in the definition of an adequate airport.
I think definition does not match real operations, because when dispatching we are looking for suitable airports and not ad equates
When dispatching an ETOPS flight route should be within distance to suitable airports, not enough adequate ones. ¿WHY?
This mess could be solved if adequates satisfies just landing weather minima and suit ables planning minima.
Not saying it makes sense, just that those are the rules!!
It's for these and other reasons that ETOPS has proven to be statistically safer than non-ETOPS (even four engine) long range operations.
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Quote:
Could we fly within 60minutes from airports closed cause of weather and still not being consider as ETOPS?
Could we fly within 60minutes from airports closed cause of weather and still not being consider as ETOPS?
The answer is yes. Weather does not effect whether an aerodrome is an adequate aerodrome or not.
I think definition does not match real operations, because when dispatching we are looking for suitable airports and not adequates
Fell free to do so in your operation, but it is not required under any existing regulations. if you are within 60 mins of an adequate, even if it's zero-zero in fog, you are non-ETOPS.
Annex 6:
4.7 Additional requirements for extended range operations by aeroplanes with two turbine power-units (ETOPS)
4.7.1 Unless the operation has been specifically approved
by the State of the Operator, an aeroplane with two turbine
power-units shall not, except as provided in 4.7.4, be operated
on a route where the flight time at single-engine cruise speed
to an adequate en-route alternate aerodrome exceeds a threshold
time established for such operations by that State.
4.7.3 A flight to be conducted in accordance with 4.7.1
shall not be commenced unless, during the possible period of
arrival, the required en-route alternate aerodrome(s) will be
available and the available information indicates that conditions
at those aerodromes will be at or above the aerodrome
operating minima approved for the operation.
Thak you for reply.
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Actually, in converting JAR-OPS to EU-OPS they changed the wording to "adequate" for ETOPS flights as well. According to OPS 1.246 you just need an adequate aerodrome within your approved diversion time.
Still you've got the planning minima table for ETOPS en-route alternates in OPS 1.297. Is the whole definition of adequate vs. suitable falling apart?
Still you've got the planning minima table for ETOPS en-route alternates in OPS 1.297. Is the whole definition of adequate vs. suitable falling apart?
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I am sure you will find that both are required; "Suitable" relates to weather and "adequate" relates to the physical characteristics of the runway/airport. At least at the planning stage. Once dispatched then all the rules change.