The US aviation regulatory body Federal Aviation Authority (FAA) cleared the Boeing 737 Max aircraft to return to service again. The B737 Max planes had been grounded since March 2019 following the two major crashes in Indonesia and Ethiopia.
This approval from the FAA is a milestone for the Boeing Company as it was hit by the financial crisis, tragedies, in-depth investigations, and many other complications. The Coronavirus pandemic almost halted air transport and added more woes to the company.
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The FAA stated the Boeing 737 Max after getting clearance will not immediately return to the skies due to various reasons. The aircraft has undergone software updates, wiring changes, system up-gradation so, pilots have to be trained with the new manual which takes time.
The aviation regulatory body of the US gave recertification to the Max aircraft after finding the design changes and updates to have eliminated what caused those fatal crashes. The FAA chief said he was cent percent confident in the safety of the plane.
The Boeing Company said they were trying effortlessly to convince the FAA with their design, software, and crew training changes that would eradicate the flaws that caused deadly crashes in 2018 and 2019 killing 346 people.
“We’ve done everything humanly possible to make sure” these types of crashes do not happen again,” FAA Administrator Steve Dickson said.
Boeing chief executive officer Dave Calhoun insisted the company had strengthened its safety practices, protocols, and culture since the fatal disasters.
“We will never forget the lives lost in the two tragic accidents that led to the decision to suspend operations,” said Mr. Calhoun, who took over when his predecessor, Dennis Muilenburg, was fired last year.
Boeing is expecting to start the year 2021 with a global workforce of about 130,000. The revival of the 737 Max will certainly boost the confidence however, it will test the company’s ability to face the pandemic and re-establish its fame.
The Boeing 737 Max recertification approval from FAA became successful after the various test flights, software inspections, updates were made by the Boeing Company and tested by Transport Canada, a federal institution for transportation policies and programs.
The budget airline company Ryanair has committed to start taking the delivery of the Max jets early next year. The airline had ordered a total of 135 Max aircraft before the flight restriction. American Airlines, United Airlines, and Southwest Airlines have planned to fly B737 Max aircraft next year.
Though the Boeing 737 Max jet received approval to fly again in the US, the foreign aviation regulatory agencies have shown dissatisfaction. The European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) said it will conduct its own testing programs and protocols to let B737 Max fly in the European skies.
The famous pilot Captain Chesley ‘Sully’ Sullenberger also showed dissatisfaction over the updates made by the company and said more changes along with test flights are mandatory for the safe return of the Max jets.
“People are going to fly on it and I will probably be one of them,” he added. “The updated Boeing 737 MAX will probably be as safe as the (previous model) 737 NG when they are done with it. But it’s not as good as it should be.”
The changes made to the Boeing 737 Max jets include updated FCC Software, updated Max display system (MDS) software, updated flight manual, revised training for pilots, and other minor changes.
ABOUT THE BOEING 737 MAX
The 737 MAX family is designed by the Boeing Company to offer the greatest flexibility, reliability, and efficiency in the single-aisle market. The MAX aircraft feature the new Boeing Sky Interior, highlighted by modern sculpted sidewalls and window reveals, LED lighting that enhances the sense of spaciousness, and larger pivoting overhead storage bins.
