Chicago. Boeing has completed development of the updated software for the 737 MAX, along with associated simulator testing and the company’s engineering test flight.
In a statement May 16, the company said that to date, Boeing has flown the 737 MAX with updated MCAS software for more than 360 hours on 207 flights, quoting Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer Dennis Muilenburg as saying that the Boeing “737 MAX with updated MCAS software will be one of the safest airplanes ever to fly.”
Boeing is now providing additional information to address Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) requests that include detail on how pilots interact with the airplane controls and displays in different flight scenarios. Once the requests are addressed, Boeing will work with the FAA to schedule its certification test flight and submit final certification documentation.
“With safety as our clear priority, we have completed all of the engineering test flights for the software update and are preparing for the final certification flight,” said Muilenburg, adding:
“We’re committed to providing the FAA and global regulators all the information they need, and to getting it right. We’re making clear and steady progress and are confident that the 737 MAX with updated MCAS software will be one of the safest airplanes ever to fly. The accidents have only intensified our commitment to our values, including safety, quality and integrity, because we know lives depend on what we do.”
In addition, Boeing has developed enhanced training and education materials that are now being reviewed with the FAA, global regulators, and airline customers to support return-to-service and longer-term operations. This includes a series of regional customer conferences being conducted around the world.
MCAS, or Maneuvering Characteristics Augmentation System, is a software to help manage a flight at slow speeds and high Angles of Attack. According to Boeing, the AOA is the angle between the oncoming air or relative wind and a reference line on the airplane or wing.
