Question

Unless specifically authorized by ETOPS, no 705 Operation may operate a twin-engine aircraft on a route containing a point that is further from an adequate aerodrome than the distance that can be flown in:

Answer 1

The topic involves ETOPS, a regulation that defines how far a twin-engine aircraft can operate from an adequate aerodrome without specific authorization. The FAA's separation rules and a historical event illustrate the significance of these operational regulations.

Step-by-step explanation:

The question refers to an operational regulation for twin-engine aircraft under Extended Diversion Time Operations (ETOPS). ETOPS are rules governing non-stop flights by commercial twin-engine airplanes over routes that lack suitable places to land at intervals. Without ETOPS certification, aircraft must remain within a certain time-distance of an adequate aerodrome or airport capable of facilitating an emergency landing. This distance is typically presented in minutes and directly correlates to the aircraft's one-engine-inoperative cruise speed.

In terms of the Federal Aviation Administration's (FAA) standard traffic separation requirements, commercial aircraft must maintain separation of five miles laterally and 2,000 feet vertically, reducing to 1,000 feet at altitudes below 29,000 feet. The Gimli Glider incident involving a Boeing 767 that ran out of fuel underscores the importance of adherence to these rules for safety. In this incident, the crew was forced to land the aircraft at an abandoned air force base, with a successful outcome due to the quick thinking and experience of the pilots.