Originally Posted by
EmailKid
Um, as I understand it that was not an error in software, that was intentional to have only one AoA sensor for data, though there was a possibility to purchase an option where a second one was also sending info,
No, that's not what I'm referring to. Boeing thought the AOA disagree alert would operate in all cases (i.e., regardless of any optional features). This was not the case and Boeing was not aware of this fact until several months after deliveries began. Again, it goes to Boeing's thoroughness in its review processes to have not discovered that a feature did not operate as intended.
(And the option was for an AOA indicator.)
https://www.nytimes.com/2019/05/05/b...ing-light.html
When Boeing began delivering its 737 Max to customers in 2017, the company believed that a key cockpit warning light was a standard feature in all of the new jets.
But months after the planes were flying, company engineers realized that the warning light worked only on planes whose customers had bought a different, optional indicator.
In essence, that meant a safety feature that Boeing thought was standard was actually a premium add-on.
Boeing detailed its initial confusion about the warning light in a statement released on Sunday, adding new details to what was already known about the flawed design and introduction of the 737 Max, its best-selling jetliner.
More news, none of which is particularly confidence-boosting...
Pilots union to Boeing: 'Inexcusable' to blame pilots for 737 Max crashes
Tajer also told CNN American Airlines pilots made several suggestions on how to improve the safety of the Maneuvering Characteristics Augmentation System (MCAS) in a meeting with Boeing in November 2018, a few weeks after the October crash of Lion Air flight JT 610 in Indonesia and months before the Ethiopian Airlines crash in March. When asked if the Ethiopian crash might have been prevented if Boeing had taken action on the pilots' suggestions, Tajer said, "I think that's a fair conclusion." Boeing did not respond to CNN's request for comment.
FAA says there could be delay in Boeing 737 Max software fix
"If you said October I wouldn't even say that, only because we haven't finished determining exactly what the training requirements will be," [FAA chief Daniel] Elwell said, according to the BBC.
"If it takes a year to find everything we need to give us the confidence to lift the [grounding] order so be it," he added.
His comments came as representatives from dozens of nations met in Fort Worth, Texas, to discuss aviation regulations around the globe including the grounding of the 737 Max jet line.
The following is not about the MAX specifically, but an interesting read regarding issues within the FAA when it comes to oversight in general, which has been questioned regarding the MAX as well:
Inspectors say FAA pressures them to ignore critical plane problems: "The flying public needs to wake up"
Two Federal Aviation Administration inspectors – each with a decade of experience with the FAA – say they have an urgent message for U.S. travelers: "people's lives" could be at stake. They told CBS News "the flying public needs to wake up" and that people need to know flying "is not as safe as it could be." Both asked to remain anonymous because they fear losing their jobs for speaking out...
...A 2016 Inspector General's report echoes their concerns. It found that another FAA inspector, Charles Banks, was pressured to back off an airline then was punished by management. When reached by CBS News, Banks confirmed that he was punished by the FAA for filing reports of problems with Miami Air International.