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Those planes probably have 3 or 4 engines. For 2 engine cross ocean flights there are definitely rules about distance from a landing option.
by achandlerwhite 6y ago
Those planes probably have 3 or 4 engines. For 2 engine cross ocean flights there are definitely rules about distance from a landing option.
- deleted 6y ago[deleted]
- rootusrootus 6y agoThe distance must be fairly generous. I flew directly over the top of the north pole in a 777, and I have to imagine that at that point the nearest 777-capable landing strip is quite a ways off.
- Pasorrijer 6y agoYou'd be incorrect. The capital of Nunavut in Canada is cleared to land up to an A380, and that's fairly close to the North Pole. Often that's how OEM's will get their cold weather testing done, by just flying up in the winter.
- andrewem 6y agoI found the Wikipedia article for that airport, which says it has one runway of 2,623 meters and serves as a diversion airport on polar routes: https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Iqaluit_Airport https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Iqaluit_Airport And here’s a list of diversion airports: https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Diversion_airport https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Diversion_airport
- rootusrootus 6y agoIt depends on how you define fairly close. Iqaluit Airport is just over 1,800 miles from the North Pole, or about four hours of flying time (at cruising speed, more if you have to fly lower with a dead engine).
- aphextron 6y ago> Those planes probably have 3 or 4 engines. They hardly do anymore. The remaining 3 and 4 engine airliners like the 747 and A380 are on the way out. Twin engines like the 777, 787, and the A350 are going to be the only planes flying these long haul routes going forward because they are just so much more efficient. With increased reliability over the years, ETOPS regulations have loosened up far enough that you can fly to/from any point on earth without being beyond the max range from land.