AC 120-42B ETOPS and Polar Ops - Code7700

6/13/08 AC 120-42B600. BACKGROUND.CHAPTER 6. POLAR OPERATIONSa. In February 2001, in response to several U.S. carriers’ plans to conduct north polaroperations, the FAA developed a “Polar Policy Letter.” This policy letter documented therequirement for airlines to develop necessary plans in preparation for north polar flights andidentified the necessary equipment and airplane configuration requirements for all airplanesregardless of the number of engines. The FAA’s intent in issuing the policy letter was to“establish a process that can be applied uniformly to all applicants for polar route authority.”This policy was applied to all operators, and although not ETOPS per se, it required ETOPS-likeplanning, equipage and operational requirements in these areas.b. During the development of the expanded ETOPS regulations the Aviation RulemakingAdvisory Committee (ARAC) recommended that the guidance contained in the Polar Policyletter be incorporated in the ETOPS regulations. It also recommended that these requirements beexpanded to the South Polar Region. Although no U.S. certificate holders were operating in theSouth Polar Area at the time, it was felt that due to similar extremes in remoteness, weather, andterrain, this area should be included in anticipation of future industry growth.c. The FAA agreed with the recommendations of the ARAC and has determined thatoperating in the polar areas presents operational issues similar to typical ETOPS flights, and assuch, the risks associated with this operation can be mitigated by applying planning, operational,and equipage requirements similar to ETOPS and specific procedures applicable to the risksassociated with this type of flying.601. DEFINITION. The North Polar Area is defined as the entire area north of latitude78 degrees North, and the South Polar Area is defined as the entire area south of latitude60 degrees South.602. APPLICABILITY. Any certificate holder operating an airplane whose route contains anypoint within the North Polar area or South Polar area as defined in paragraph 601 above, mustcomply with the requirements of part 121, appendix P, section III. The certificate holder mustfirst determine during the route planning stage if the operation will be ETOPS as defined in§ 121.161 and as further discussed in Chapter 2, paragraph 201 of this AC. If the operation isETOPS the polar requirements of part 121, appendix P and the guidance in this chapter are inaddition to any of the applicable ETOPS requirements discussed in Chapter 3,paragraphs 300 through 304 of this AC.603. POLAR REQUIREMENTS.a. The certificate holder applying for authority to fly in the Polar Areas must developplans in preparation for all polar flights in the North and/or South Polar Areas, as appropriate.This section documents the added requirements and identifies equipment and airplaneconfiguration requirements in addition to the requirements discussed in Chapter 3, paragraphs300 through 304.Par 600 Page 47