AC 120-42B ETOPS and Polar Ops - Code7700

AC 120-42B 6/13/08(h) Training for flight crewmembers and dispatcher roles in the certificate holder’spassenger recovery plan.(7) Crew Exposure to Radiation during Solar Flare Activity. The certificate holdermust provide a plan for mitigating crew exposure to the effects of solar flare activity at thealtitudes and latitudes expected in such operations.(8) Special Equipment for Polar Operations. A minimum of two cold weatheranti-exposure suits must be on board each airplane, so that outside coordination at a diversionairport with extreme climatic conditions can be accomplished safely. A short term MEL relief forthis item may be granted provided the certificate holder has arranged ground support provisionsfor providing such protective clothing at alternate airports. The FAA may also relieve thecertificate holder from this requirement during those periods of the year when the seasonaltemperature makes the equipment unnecessary.604. VALIDATION BEFORE APPROVAL.a. Prior to receiving an authorization to conduct polar operations a certificate holder mustconduct an FAA observed validation flight. As part of polar area validation, the certificate holdermust exercise its passenger recovery plan. Adequate and timely notification must be made to theFAA before the validation flight so that any necessary coordination between the FAA inspectorand personnel at the selected diversion airport can be completed. The inspector will witness theeffectiveness and adequacy of the following areas of operation:• Communications,• Coordination,• Facilities,• Accuracy of Notices to Airman and weather information, and• Operability of ground equipment during the simulated diversion.b. The exercise of the certificate holder’s passenger recovery plan may be completedbefore the validation flight. The FAA will not consider a request by a certificate holder toconduct the validation flight in a passenger revenue status if the certificate holder’s passengerrecovery plan has not been previously and satisfactorily demonstrated to the FAA. If thecertificate holder elects to demonstrate its passenger recovery plan as part of and during itsvalidation flight, the flight may not be conducted in a passenger revenue status. However, thecarriage of cargo revenue is permissible in this case and is encouraged for airplane weight andbalance purposes.605. FAA POLAR AREA APPROVAL. Certificate holders must obtain FAA approval toconduct these operations and to operate in any area of magnetic unreliability. The FAA will grantsuch authority based on a specific airplane-engine combination. Any certificate holder wishing toobtain Polar authorization must submit an application with all supporting data to their localCHDO office. This application must address all the regulatory requirements for Polar operationsand may follow the guidance as found in this AC. The application should be submitted at least60 days prior to the proposed start of polar operations with the specific airplane-enginecombination. FAA approval is granted by an amendment to the certificate holder’s OpSpecs.Page 50 Par 603