Moderators - I understand this would normally be a
TravelBuzz or
In the News topic, but we have had a number of interesting ETOPS-related discussion threads in the UA forum these past few months and thought the UA folks might find this of interest, as well as discussion, which is why I posted it here, instead.
<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">
General Electric's GE90-115B for the Boeing 777-200LR/300ER is the first of a new generation of engines being designed and tested to tougher standards that should enable operators to move beyond the current limitations governing extended twin-engine operations overwater.</font>
<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">
A draft of the new rules covering prolonged ETOPS is expected from the FAA late this year, and many anticipate the agency will stretch the existing 180-min. ETOPS to 300 min. or more. Lengthening ETOPS limits to 330 min. from an adequate airport, for example, would allow twin-engine commercial transports to fly any route now serviced by three- or four-engine aircraft, industry officials said.</font>
An interesting read, the entire article available at:
http://www.aviationnow.com/avnow/new...s/05053top.xml
[This message has been edited by SEA_Tigger (edited 05-05-2003).]