EASA has issued a notice of proposed amendment (NPA) that would permit larger European-certified multi-engine business jets with 19 passenger seats or less used in on-demand air charter service to operate with 120- to 180-minute one-engine inoperative (OEI) diversion times without obtaining approval for extended range twin-engine operation performance standards (ETOPS). Without an exemption, an ETOPS approval is required for OEI diversion times that are more than 60 minutes.
This NPA proposes to increase the current non-ETOPS operation mtow threshold to 133,000 pounds from 100,000 pounds to accommodate newer jets such as the Gulfstream 650ER and Bombardier Global 7000. The NPA also would remove the specific type design approval for non-ETOPS operations between 120 and 180 minutes.
Essentially, the rule would harmonize EASA requirements with those of the U.S., Canada and Australia. Under the current rule, EASA contends the operators of these larger business jets would be limited to non-ETOPS operations over routes with 60-minute diversion thresholds, resulting in fewer destinations being offered, more time aloft, increased fuel consumption and additional refueling stops. “These implications are contrary to the ethos of business aviation,” the agency said.
“In addition to an unlevel playing field created within the European business aviation market, the existing rule will also create a bias against European business aviation operators on an international level,” EASA said. Comments on the NPA are due by Jan. 3, 2018.
