American Airlines Outlines Plans for Pilot 737 MAX Training

American Airlines could be preparing their pilots to operate the Boeing 737 MAX again, once approval is granted from the Federal Aviation Administration. An internal memo suggests training could begin in November, consisting of nearly five hours of distance learning and simulator time.

American Airlines is reportedly anticipating a return of the Boeing 737 MAX to their fleet by informing pilots that retraining on the troubled airframe could begin in November 2020. Reuters reports an internal memo sent to aviators suggests nearly five hours of training may start by the end of the year.

Re-Training Calls for Two-Hour Simulator Event and Distance Learning Modules

Under the reported plan, American pilots would take a 100-minute distance learning training module on the aircraft, including changes from the Federal Aviation Administration’s required updates in their draft airworthiness directive. From there, the pilots would receive simulator time, including a one-hour briefing and two hours flying the simulator.

Although the FAA has weighed in on necessary changes for airworthiness, the 737 MAX has yet to be cleared for customer service once more. Yet, Reuters says the American training sessions could be finalized as soon as Oct. 28, 2020, with training for all pilots complete by January 2021.

A spokesperson for American provided the following statement to FlyerTalk:

“We have not made any definitive plans regarding the MAX. We have initiated the pilot training scheduling process, which can be adjusted depending on when the MAX is recertified. We remain in contact with the FAA and Boeing on the recertification process.”

American currently has 24 Boeing 737 MAX-8 airframes in their fleet, with orders for an additional 76 aircraft. This gives them the second largest fleet of 737 MAX aircraft among U.S. based carriers, with Southwest Airlines being the first.

Airlines Antsy to Get 737 MAX Back in The Skies

Despite the two fatal accidents that caused the worldwide grounding of the 737 MAX and allegations of poor quality control inside Boeing, air operators are anticipating welcoming it back into their fleet by the end of 2020. During Southwest’s second quarter 2020 financial report, the airline said they expected to fly the aircraft again by 2021.

According to Airlines for America, five members have the Boeing 737 MAX either in their fleets or on order, representing 647 total aircraft. Although airlines once said they would allow flyers to opt out of traveling aboard the airframe, it’s unclear if that will be the case once the new airworthiness directive is issued.