330 min ETOPS wont make any operational difference. The 777s have 240 mins and don't use it ( or very rarely) so 330 is superfluous for AIR and provides no operational boost whatsoever.
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330 min ETOPS wont make any operational difference. The 777s have 240 mins and don't use it ( or very rarely) so 330 is superfluous for AIR and provides no operational boost whatsoever.
[With respect I disagree. Whilst clearly I don't have the pilot or operational expertise you claim to have the chief pilot obviously thinks its worthwhile and what i'm talking about is an extension of the Dreamliners ETOPS capability from 180 mins to330 mins. This will open up new more direct routes for that aircraft type regardless of whether AIR's flights to North America with the 777 are 240 or 330 ETOPS. I know a pilot who flies to Vancouver a lot direct in the 777, I'll ask him the question and update the thread on this matter when I have some more feedback direct from the coal-face.Quote:
B]Boeing to Offer up to 330-Minute ETOPS on 777[/B]
Allows more direct flights, burns less fuel, emits less carbon dioxide into atmosphere
EVERETT, Wash., Dec. 12, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- Boeing (NYSE: BA) announced today it has received type-design approval from the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) for up to 330-minute extended operations (ETOPS) for its 777 fleet.
The authorization allows 777 customers who purchase or already operate 777-300ER (extended range), 777-200LR (longer range), 777 Freighter and 777-200ER models equipped with General Electric engines to fly up to 330 minutes from an alternate airport. FAA approval for the 777-200ER equipped with Rolls-Royce and Pratt & Whitney engines is expected to follow over the next few months.
"Boeing twin-engine jets have flown more than 7 million ETOPS flights since 1985, and more than 120 Boeing operators fly more than 50,000 ETOPS flights each month," said Larry Loftis, vice president and general manager 777 program. "This is the logical continuation of the Boeing philosophy of point-to-point service. Passengers want to minimize their overall travel time. This is one more step in that direction."
The first airline to purchase the new longer ETOPS option is Air New Zealand. Air New Zealand completed the first 240 ETOPS flight earlier this month from Los Angeles to Auckland, N.Z.
"What this means is that the airplane is able to fly a straighter route between the city pairs and that's good for the environment," said Capt. David Morgan, chief pilot for Air New Zealand. "Less fuel is burned and less carbon dioxide is emitted into the atmosphere. It's also good for customers because flights are potentially shorter and passengers could arrive sooner at their destinations."
So the chief pilot is full telling porkies ? What about flights beyond LAX ? (According to Boeing the Dreamliner is designed with longer range and ETOPS 330 from the outset so FAA granting this is clearly of some advantage compared to 180 ETOPS or can't we even get agreement on that for goodness sake).
Regarding your other point, I've talked to a number of Air New Zealand pilots over the years and most have never experienced an engine out in their entire career. Quite apart from that these aircraft are designed to be able to be flown on one engine in an emergency situation. I presume you've driven in central Auckland city rush hour traffic lately...you want scary, I reckon many people get their licence from some counterfeit overseas supplier. :scared: Remind me again, how many people die on the roads in N.Z. every single year !! I have no issue flying long range on a twin engine aircraft, less stuff to go wrong).
You may find AIR hasn't been hanging out for 330 min ETOPS to open new routes. South America is the only region that it MAY be useful for and there has been no indication from AIR they are heading there any time soon and new routes generally lose money for quite some time from start up. Any announcement of a new route may be good news for crew but not necessarily for shareholders.
The chief pilot only refers to 240 mins. note that is all AIR has purchased. No mention by him or AIR of 330 Mins
Boeing offers UP TO 330 mins. Take (and pay) for what you need. AIR sometimes needs 240min. As of now it has no use for 330 min ETOPS (or EDTO for the purists) so, as in a post from way back, it has ( certainly in the short to medium term), no operational significance.
If extension of ETOPS on Dreamliner aircraft from 180 to 330 minutes doesn't give more operational flexibility with this efficient aircraft type I'll eat my hat mate.
More to the point of the main thrust, (excuse pun) of my earlier comment, how many people on here knew that AIR is planning on 5-7% annual top line growth for the next 5 years ?
$2.15.5 and going up as I type :t_up:
I'll be able to buy some tomato sauce with my profits to make it more palatable :)
Announcement from Boeing published in Air Transport News today.
"Boeing has confirmed delivery of the first 787-9 to Air New Zealand, the launch customer for the larger version of the Dreamliner that received FAA and European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) certification last month.
“Boeing is proud to have contractually delivered the first 787-9 Dreamliner to Air New Zealand,” a Boeing spokesman said. “We look forward to celebrating the milestone with our customer soon.”
Air New Zealand has 10 787-9s on order for delivery through 2017. The -9 is 20 feet longer than the 787-8 currently in operation. The Auckland-based airline is configuring the 787-9 with 18 business class seats, 21 premium economy seats and 263 economy seats."
So AirNZ now own the 787, really look forward to it arriving here very soon.