ETOPS with more than two engines
 

Dear all,

It^s been a while since I was involved in A330(/B777) ETOPS on the maintenance side.
Lately, I have been trying to catch up with the implications of the ETOPS revision from "two engines only" to the "extended ops" concept, see

http://rgl.faa.gov/Regulatory_and_Guidance_Library/rgAdvisoryCircular.nsf/0/2e0f31985abd83ef8625746b0057fd06/$FILE/AC%20120-42B.pdf

, in particular for the effects on the MRO side (Job Cards, Engineering procedures, defect rectification etc. - NOT route and fuel planning!).
Using google for relevant documentation usually ended up in old-style "E-TWIN-OPS" stuff.

I have checked a few of our A340 customers´ procedures and manuals - no trace of "ETOPS". Might be that they don^t operate the routes as quoted in appendix 2, items 2 and 3...?

- Strictly speaking on the 3 and 4 engined airplanes: Any maintenance implications? Any analogon to the "Dual maintenance" concept on A330s?
- Has anyone seen relevant documentation from the EASA? I could only find the FAA AC above.
- Has anyone seen a "CMP" for the A340?
- Any changes on your Part 145 end to handle an A340 when compared to five years ago...?

Very confused regards, :confused::confused:
J.V.

AS far as i understand , there is no such a thing as ETOPS for aircrafts with more than 2 engines .
ETOPS basically states the maintaianance procedures and requirments for aircrafts with '' 2 engines '' to conduct flights over the oceans at a distance of more than 60 mins away from the nearest diversion zone , and its to ensure that in case of engine failure the aircraft can still go ahead with the flight, safely with no serious by-products resulting from the engine failure or from flying the aircraft with one engine .

If I'm not mistaken, ETOPS requirements on 3 or more engined a/c is called LROPS. The exact requirements are still shady. But I've heard LROPS is the main reason why the A380 and B748 are fitted with RAT !

Aero 22 - New ETOPS Regulations

Look at the maintenance part of this link.

I found this as well while searching for LROPS.
PowerPoint Presentation

The clues in the T:ok:

A smudge says, the clue is in the T. However, some maintenance organisations have a policy of not letting same person certify / do the same safety critical job on more than half the number of engines (which obviously applies to four engine aircraft).

For those of you who havn^t noticed the legal changes and have not read the AC, only one simple quote...:

200. ETOPS REGULATORY REQUIREMENTS.
a. All two-engine airplanes and three- and four-engine passenger-carrying airplanes operated under part 121 are required to comply with § 121.161. This regulation imposes special requirements for ETOPS for these airplanes. These operations are defined as:
(1) Two-Engine Airplanes. These are flights whose planned routing contains a point farther than 60 minutes flying time from an adequate airport at an approved one-engine inoperative cruise speed under standard conditions in still air.
(2) Passenger-Carrying Airplanes with More Than Two Engines. These are flights whose planned routing contains a point farther than 180 minutes flying time from an adequate airport at an approved one-engine inoperative cruise speed under standard conditions in still air.

Thanks anyway for your replies,
J.V.