Extended-range twin-engine operations (ETOPS) have become common practice in commercial aviation over the last 15 years. Maintenance and operational programs for the twinjets used in these operations have received special emphasis, and reliability improvements have been made in certain airplane systems. Many operators are now considering the merits of the ETOPS maintenance program for use with non-ETOPS airplanes.
The ETOPS maintenance approach that can be applied to all commercial airplanes includes:
Engine health monitoring.
Predeparture service check.
Basic and multiple-system maintenance practices.
Event-oriented reliability program.
At US Airways our 767s and A330s are permitted to fly 360 minutes away from the nearest landing strip. It permits shorter routes over the water.
EOW is Emergency Overwater equipped, HF radios, rafts and life vests, it does not permit them to fly 360 minutes away from the nearest landing strip.
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