Re-certification flights begin for Boeing 737 Max

[mahatmakanejeeves]

Source: Seattle Times and AP, via Post-Intelligencer

Re-certification flights begin for Boeing 737 Max
Updated 9:19 pm PDT, Monday, June 29, 2020

SEATTLE (AP) -- A Boeing 737 Max took off from a Seattle airport on Monday, the start of three days of re-certification test flights that mark a step toward returning the aircraft to passenger service.

The Federal Aviation Administration test flights over the next three days will evaluate Boeing's proposed changes to the automated flight control system on the Max. This is the software called the Maneuvering Characteristics Augmentation System (MCAS) that activated erroneously on two flights that crashed, killing 346 people. Since the second accident in March 2019, the jet has been grounded.

The Seattle Times reports the plane flew east and landed one hour and 20 minutes later at Moses Lake, Washington, and returned to Boeing Field early in the afternoon.

Boeing has over the past year made multiple changes to its plans for updating the airplane's systems. The start of these re-certification flights indicates that Boeing has finalized its changes and turned them in to the FAA.

Read more: https://www.seattlepi.com/news/article/Re-certification-flights-begin-for-Boeing-737-MAX-15374753.php

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There's still a Seattle Times? I thought that and the PI had merged operations.

[ArizonaLib]

1. Why are they in such a hurry to get those things in the air?

To write off the old equipment? There is no market in the world for the old equipment for the foreseeable future.

[Lonestarblue]

2. I won't be traveling in the immediate future, but I would not fly on that plane.

I simply no longer trust Boeing and there is no reason to trust anyone in the Trump administration to ensure our safety. And given how many planes have been manufactured, Boeing will want to use them as designed. Relying on software fixes to overcome design flaws seems to be asking for trouble.

[dem4decades]

3. With Covid and the 737 MAX I may never fly again.

[Bengus81]

4. I was in the hospital in late Oct last year watching the Boeing hearings.....

Listening to the then Boeing CEO bullshit his way though testimony about killing two plane loads of people and stumble around when it was known that test pilots a years earlier said that aircraft had major problems with that software and handling.

I wanted to throw a brick through THEIR TV.

[LastDemocratInSC]

5. Boeing lost its soul through mergers and acquisitions.

[Bengus81]

6. Screwed the HELL out of Wichita when they blew town years ago.....

Untold millions of taxpayer $$$ given to them in tax breaks and perks over decades and then they pulled the plug in 2013 for cheap labor in SC and other places.

[IronLionZion]

7. Seattle Times and PI are competitors

PI went online only

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Seattle_Times
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Seattle_Post-Intelligencer

[Chainfire]

8. I would consider flying on one

After it has had about a bazillion air miles with no incidents.

[Bengus81]

11. The MAX is a totally different plane with different systems than the 737 xxx series

BTW...no incidents?? Hell of a rudder problem years ago that caused several to crash and kill hundreds. Colorado Springs comes to mind.

[Johnny2X2X]

9. It's now the safest plane in the world

I'd fly on one without hesitation.

It's a great plane. Best design, best engines, best FMS.

[EX500rider]

10. I 2nd that, it will have been thoroughly vetted when it goes back up. nt

[Chainfire]

12. The safest Boeing in the world

Is the one that is making vapor trails 40,000 feet over my head. Boeing has proved that they are not to be trusted. Like the old Oldsmobile commercial used to say, "This isn't your father's Boeing."

[yankee87]

13. Guinea Pigs required

Who wants to be the first Guinea pigs to fly on the fixed software? Make sure your life insurance is paid up.