ETOPS Operations Quiz

ETOPS Operations Manual Summary

• When dispatching under MEL provisions, MEL limitations affecting instrument approaches must be considered for determining ETOPS alternate minima.
• Planning minima are valid before dispatch; after dispatch, forecast or actual weather only needs to indicate that enroute alternate weather will remain at or above landing minima.
• Applicable NOTAMs must indicate that the airport will remain open for the same period as the weather forecast.
• METARs are in degrees TRUE and may need correction for magnetic variation.
• Time window for each declared ETOPS enroute alternate is published on the Dispatch Briefing Form and E-OFP.
• Latest estimated time of arrival is computed considering a 2-engine diversion from the second Equitime Point (ETP) associated with the considered ETOPS enroute alternate, at FL100 at the LRC speed, plus one hour.
• Weather conditions at the enroute alternate must be equal to or better than normal landing minima after the aircraft has dispatched from the origin aerodrome.
• MEL/CDL reflects primary system redundancy levels appropriate to ETOPS and includes various airframe systems influencing flight safety.
• ETOPS remains a "dispatch" consideration; an inflight loss of an item below ETOPS dispatch requirements doesn't mandate a diversion but must be considered by the CAPT.
• Personnel responsible for the release or dispatch of any French Bee ETOPS flight must be properly instructed and demonstrate their abilities.
• OCC continuously monitors French Bee ETOPS flights, giving particular attention to enroute weather, NOTAMs, airspace status, and any alterations to enroute alternate facilities.
• In case of flight delay, OCC monitors weather forecasts and airport status at enroute alternates to ensure they stay within specified planning minima requirements until dispatch; recalculation of ETOPS windows is made by the OCC with the actual takeoff time.

ETOPS Fuel and Weather Requirements for Diversion Planning

• ETOPS diversion planning to an enroute alternate may be impacted by obstacle restrictions requiring extra oxygen profile requirements
• The ETOPS All Operations Manual specifies the need to verify the current version before use
• ETOPS allows for authorized diversions above FL 100 if the aircraft is equipped with supplemental oxygen
• Additional fuel reserves in ETOPS are required for correction of wind errors, icing, aircraft performance degradation, APU fuel consumption, NAT HLA contingency procedure, and MEL/CDL performance penalties
• The Company E-OFP calculates fuel requirements for two engines and single engine depressurized cases, selecting the higher of the two fuel requirements
• Fuel to compensate for wind forecast errors is based on a forecast wind speed increased by 5%
• ETOPS considers airframe icing and engine and wing anti-ice fuel usage in determining the minimum fuel reserve
• Icing is presumed to occur when the OAT is between 0ºC and -20ºC with RH of 55% or greater, in the absence of reliable icing forecast
• Fuel is accounted for aircraft performance degradation and APU use in determining the ETOPS Critical fuel reserve
• Additional fuel consumption due to MEL or CDL items is accounted for in the determination of critical fuel
• ETOPS enroute alternate requirements are detailed in the manual, referring to adequate airports and ETOPS enroute alternate airport definitions
• Weather planning minima for ETOPS enroute alternate airports include specific criteria for precision and non-precision approaches, visibility, ceiling, and forecast wind limits

Test your knowledge of ETOPS operations with this quiz covering key considerations for dispatching, MEL provisions, alternate minima, fuel and weather requirements for diversion planning. Brush up on essential ETOPS guidelines and enhance your understanding of operational procedures.