Quote:
Originally Posted by R Leo
The L-1011 and DC-10 used three engines to achieve a longer ETOPS (Engines Turn Or Passengers Swim) and thus able to cover long distance routes over water without stops with the then-current engine technology.
The B727 was a compromise a/c designed to fill the multiple needs of airlines for short runway capability, high altitude runway capability and ETOPS.
Newer engines have been certified for longer ETOPS so an extra engine is redundant nowadays. Engines are significantly more powerful now as well.
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ETOPS -
It's a time and distance thing. Not a water thing.
It's not all about the engines either.
And then there's crew certification...
Odd as this may sound - I have flown Boeing 757s that were ETOPS certified and some that were not. Both with the same RB211 engines.
As for the Q - Post #2 from H-Town pretty much answered the OP question.