Pilots Voice Concern on How Boeing Handled 737 MAX Issues

Boeing is currently installing software updates in the hopes of returning the Boeing 737 MAX to service, but the manufacturer has a way to go to regain the trust of the public and pilots. A number of pilots have publicly voiced their concern over Boeing’s handling of issues related to the 737 MAX.

While Boeing is in the process of implementing software updates that it hopes will see the Boeing 737 MAX return to service, the aircraft manufacturer has a long way to go to reassure the flying public and pilots alike that their craft is safe. As AP reports, this latter group have spoken of their concerns over Boeing’s handling of training and safety issues relating to the Maneuvering Characteristics Augmentation System (MCAS) as implemented on the 737 MAX.

One of the most notable figures to speak out about the current situation faced by Boeing was Chesley “Sully” Sullenberger, who was responsible for the safe landing of US Airways Flight 1549 back in 2009. While speaking to a congressional panel earlier this week, the retired pilot said that flight simulators should have been used to recreate the failure of the 737 MAX’s software system.

According to the outlet, Sullenberger observed that the “startle factor” experienced as a result of the software failure would have been a cause of confusion to the pilots of both Lion Air Flight 610 and Ethiopian Airlines Flight 302.

“Reading about it on an iPad is not even close to sufficient,” he was quoted as saying on Wednesday.

Meanwhile, Captain Daniel Carey of the Allied Pilots Association (APA) offered his testimony to the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee’s Subcommittee on Wednesday, saying, “All of us – the pilots, flight attendants, airline companies, manufacturers, the executive branch of our government, and Congress – owe those victims the highest level of diligence to make sure these kinds of accidents never happen again,”

“The huge error of omission is that Boeing failed to disclose the existence of MCAS to the pilot community. The final fatal mistake was, therefore, the absence of robust pilot training in the event that the MCAS failed,” he was quoted as saying in an official statement by the APA.

Issuing its own statement, the Southwest Airlines Pilots Association (SWAPA) has confirmed that it is seeking recompense for its 737 MAX pilots who are currently unable to fly. It also confirmed that it seeking compensation for any and all expenses related to the subpoena of its records relating to the 737 MAX.

The news agency has reported that no Boeing representatives were present at the subcommittee hearing on Wednesday, but in a statement, spokesperson Peter Pedraza stated that the manufacturer was working with all parties “to re-earn their trust and know we must be more transparent going forward.”

H/T FlyerTalk Reader Irene Hoe

[Featured Image: YouTube/ AP]