The rule applies to air carrier (part 121), commuter, and on-demand (part 135) turbine powered multi-engine airplanes used in ETOPS; however, both part 121 and part 135 cargo-only flights in airplanes with more than two engines are exempted from the majority of this rule.  (Parts 121 and 135 refer to U.S. Federal Aviation Regulations.)

According to the agency, the new rule takes into account the extraordinary reliability of today's aircraft engines, which FAA Administrator Marion C. Blakey noted are rarely shut down in flight.  Worldwide ETOPS flights have increased from fewer than 1,000 per month in 1985 to more than 1,000 per day in 2004, the FAA says, but engine reliability has improved to the point that in-flight engine shutdowns occur less than half as often as they did in the 1980s.

Nevertheless, airplanes occasionally divert for reasons unrelated to the engines, such as mechanical problems or passenger medical emergencies, so the rule requires that airplane systems be able to support lengthy diversions in remote and sometimes harsh environments.  The rule also requires pro-active flight planning, crew training and facilities at or nearby each diversion airport that can protect passengers and crew from the elements and make them comfortable.

In 2000, the FAA chartered an Aviation Rulemaking Advisory Committee (ARAC) to review existing policy and requirements and develop standardized requirements for extended operations in the 21st century.  This new rule is based largely on the ARAC's report, which the agency says reflects a consensus among those aviation experts on what needed to be done.

The rule formalizes existing policy, industry best practices, and international standards, to ensure long-range flights operate safely in the Polar Regions, the South Atlantic Ocean between South America and Africa, and the southeastern South Pacific Ocean.  While only a few U.S. carriers currently operate in these areas, the agency expects such flights to become more frequent in the future.

See http://www.faa.gov/regulations_policies/rulemaking/recently_published/ for the rule in its entirety.  01-14-2007.