And all founded on the blind faith that if one engine on a twin-engine aircraft fails, the probability of the second failing during the remainder of the flight is totally unaffected by that event. Leaving aside fuel-related loss of power on both sides, I wonder how justified that faith really is?
Are we so absolutely certain that double engine failures can never be inter-dependent? That if one fails, a failure of the other can only be a completely random, chance event, that would have happened whether or not the first one failed? That's the fundamental assumption of ETOPS, and of the calculation of the probability of a second failure in the same flight.
Capot, not sure what you are suggesting. According to your logic, then all twin jets could only operate on routes that keep them within gliding distance of a suitable airport.
Why is two hours ok but 5.5 not? If both aircraft that far from a suitable airport loose the remaining donkey they will both be crashing.
