FAA began Boeing 737 MAX recertification flights ~29 Jun 2020
Jun 29, 2020, 8:34 am
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FAA began Boeing 737 MAX recertification flights ~29 Jun 2020
“Boeing has received Federal Aviation Administration approval to start test flights of its 737 Max to demonstrate that it can fly safely with new flight control software. The flights, which could begin as soon as Monday, represent a major step in the company’s effort to get its best-selling plane flying again.
The Max was grounded in March 2019 after a pair of fatal crashes — in Indonesia and Ethiopia — that killed 346 people. The resulting crisis cost Boeing billions of dollars, including compensation paid to victims and airlines. It also led to the ouster of the company’s chief executive, set off government inquiries and raised questions about the rushed effort to build and approve the Max.
The certification flights, conducted by F.A.A. pilots, will probably take place in the Seattle area, where the plane is made. A top Boeing test pilot will also be on the flights. “Testing is expected to take several days, and will include a wide array of flight maneuvers and emergency procedures to enable the agency to assess whether the changes meet F.A.A. certification standards,” the agency said in an email on Sunday to Senate and House oversight committee staff members.“ — New York Times, 28 June 2020 link
This recertification effort is likely to be the most intense since the recertification of the Lockheed L-188 Electra (which occasionally shed its wings in flight under specific conditions).
The Max was grounded in March 2019 after a pair of fatal crashes — in Indonesia and Ethiopia — that killed 346 people. The resulting crisis cost Boeing billions of dollars, including compensation paid to victims and airlines. It also led to the ouster of the company’s chief executive, set off government inquiries and raised questions about the rushed effort to build and approve the Max.
The certification flights, conducted by F.A.A. pilots, will probably take place in the Seattle area, where the plane is made. A top Boeing test pilot will also be on the flights. “Testing is expected to take several days, and will include a wide array of flight maneuvers and emergency procedures to enable the agency to assess whether the changes meet F.A.A. certification standards,” the agency said in an email on Sunday to Senate and House oversight committee staff members.“ — New York Times, 28 June 2020 link
This recertification effort is likely to be the most intense since the recertification of the Lockheed L-188 Electra (which occasionally shed its wings in flight under specific conditions).
Jun 29, 2020, 11:48 pm
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FAA has been approved for 737-MAX certification flights.
https://www.flightglobal.com/airfram...139034.article
https://www.flightglobal.com/airfram...139034.article
Jul 3, 2020, 2:29 pm
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https://airwaysmag.com/industry/faa-...ation-flights/
FAA COMPLETES BOEING 737 MAX RECERTIFICATION FLIGHTS
FAA COMPLETES BOEING 737 MAX RECERTIFICATION FLIGHTS
Jul 7, 2020, 8:50 pm
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https://airwaysmag.com/industry/free...oeing-737-max/
Free flight changes upon 737-MAX return to service.
Free flight changes upon 737-MAX return to service.
Jul 13, 2020, 8:43 am
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Boeing needs to get cracking on an outstanding filtration system retrofit for the MAX jets where they can have some positive health and safety news to report once these things return to service.
Jul 14, 2020, 9:59 am
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The FAA is quoted in part in the Airways Magazine article: https://airwaysmag.com/industry/free...oeing-737-max/
“On FAA’s website, today’s statement on the recertification flights reads, “The FAA and Boeing today completed the certification flight tests on the Boeing 737 MAX. During three days of testing this week, ““FAA Pilots and Engineers evaluated Boeing’s proposed changes in connection with the automated flight control system on the aircraft. While completion of the flights is an important milestone, a number of key tasks remain, including evaluating the data gathered during these flights.”
“The agency is following a deliberate process and will take the time it needs to thoroughly review Boeing’s work. We will lift the grounding order only after FAA safety experts are satisfied that the aircraft meets certification standards.”
Those key tasks are listed:
“On FAA’s website, today’s statement on the recertification flights reads, “The FAA and Boeing today completed the certification flight tests on the Boeing 737 MAX. During three days of testing this week, ““FAA Pilots and Engineers evaluated Boeing’s proposed changes in connection with the automated flight control system on the aircraft. While completion of the flights is an important milestone, a number of key tasks remain, including evaluating the data gathered during these flights.”
“The agency is following a deliberate process and will take the time it needs to thoroughly review Boeing’s work. We will lift the grounding order only after FAA safety experts are satisfied that the aircraft meets certification standards.”
Those key tasks are listed: