AC 120-42B ETOPS and Polar Ops - Code7700

AC 120-42B 6/13/08(c) For 240-Minute ETOPS in the Pacific Ocean Area north of the Equator,exception criteria includes political or military concern, volcanic activity, airport weather belowdispatch requirements, temporary airport conditions and other weather related events.NOTE: Certificate holders are required to maintain a record of their use ofthat authority for tracking purposes. When an operator is granted suchauthority, they may exercise this authority based on the conditions abovewithout limit. There is currently no requirement for any specific format forreporting 207- and 240-minute track usage.d. En Route.(1) PIC Authority. No part of this AC is to be interpreted as reducing the PIC’s jointresponsibility for determining that the flight can be safely conducted as planned before release.None of the guidance in this AC may be interpreted in any way to prejudice or limit the finalauthority and responsibility of the PIC for the safe operation of the airplane.(2) Potential Diversion Airports after Departure.(a) After departure, designated ETOPS alternates must continue to meet therequirements of original dispatch, except that the weather must remain at, or above, operatingminima (§ 121.631(c)). The pilot and dispatcher should monitor the airports within the ETOPSarea of operation that could be used for diversion for deterioration in the weather and limitationsin the availability of facilities and services that would render an airport unsuitable for landing inthe event of a diversion. During the course of the flight, the flight crewmembers should beinformed of significant changes in conditions at the designated ETOPS alternates, particularlythose conditions that would render an airport unsuitable for landing and improvement in airportweather to conditions above operating minima.(b) In most ETOPS operations, the ETOPS entry point is a significant distance fromthe point of dispatch. To ensure the capability and availability of an en route alternate to supportany en route contingencies, before an ETOPS flight proceeds beyond the ETOPS entry point, thecertificate holder must evaluate the weather from the earliest to latest time of arrival at thedesignated ETOPS alternates, as well as the landing distances, airport services, and facilities. Ifany conditions, such as weather below landing minima, are identified that would preclude a safeapproach and landing, the PIC should be notified and an additional ETOPS alternate selectedwhere a safe approach and landing can be made. A revised flight plan should include informationon the newly designated ETOPS alternates within the authorized area of operation. Informationon the weather and capabilities (that is, emergency response, approach aids, navigation facilities,and airport infrastructure) of potential ETOPS alternates in the authorized area of operationsshould be available to the PIC. The maximum diversion time, determined by the newly selectedETOPS alternate, must not exceed the authorized ETOPS maximum diversion time listed in thecertificate holder’s OpSpec for that airplane and operating area that could have been applied atoriginal dispatch.(c) An operator is not required to turn back once the flight has gone beyond theETOPS entry point if an unexpected worsening of the weather at the designated ETOPS alternatePage 32 Par 304