Page 6 - AAA SEPTEMBER-OCTOBER 2021 Online Magazine

FAA’s special training for Boeing 737 MAX flight crew. Additional The design and certification of the B737 MAX
simulator training will also be undertaken to ensure that pilots following the fatal crashes included an unprec-
are adequately trained on workload management when handling edented level of collaborative and independent
aircraft emergencies. reviews by aviation authorities around the world
and Boeing carried out more than 1350 test
A New Beginning fights to fix the jetliners automated flight con-
The return to service of Boeing’s newest single-aisle jetliner in trol system. Boeing has made an important
increasing numbers is good news for the beleaguered airframer in change to the flight control system, which now
its fight against arch-rival Airbus. Commercial aviation regulators compares inputs from two angle of attack sen-
worldwide had grounded their B737 MAX fleets in March 2019, fol- sors as opposed to a single sensor previously.
lowing the crash of Ethiopian Airlines Flight 302 that same month, As a result the B737 MAX’s automated flight
which was preceded by the crash of Lion Air Flight 610 (JT610) six control system, now only responds if data from
months earlier in October 2018. both sensors agree and only activates once
per event; and pilots always have the ability to
FAA Administrator Steve Dickson approved the B737 MAX’s return override the aircraft’s input. The Manoeuvring
to commercial service in November 2020, bringing to a close an Characteristics Augmentation System (MCAS)
extensive 20 month safety review process on the jetliner’s auto- flight control law originally designed by Boeing,
mated flight control system. The European Union Aviation Safety relied only on information from a single AOA
Agency’s (EASA) Boeing 737 MAX Return to Service Report sensor. The incorrect high AOA reported by the
released in January 2021, stated that the actions prescribed its sensor unfortunately caused repeated MCAS
Airworthiness Directive were a combination package, complete engagements, which the pilots were unable
only in their entirety. These comprised of updates to the aircraft’s to override resulting in loss of control of the
software, physical changes such as rewiring and, critically, pilot aircraft.
training, updates to manuals and revised operational procedures.
According to EASA, these changes would not only make the aircraft Training Day
safer, but also to increase pilots’ understanding of and confidence Airline operators have worked with the aviation
in the design of the flight control system. regulatory agencies of their respective nations
to ensure a safe return to service for the B737
MAX. American Airlines worked closely not
only with the FAA and Boeing, throughout the
20-month recertification process but also
with the deep involvement of its Allied Pilots
Association (APA). Many of American’s 737
pilots played an integral role in the recertifica-
tion process, with approximately 2,600 Boeing
737 pilots reviewing and completing the FAA-
approved documents and training needed. This
included aircraft operating manual updates,
several hours of computer based training,
classroom briefings and rigorous simulator
training accomplished in a 737 MAX simulator.

Customer sensitivities towards their preference
to travel on the B737 MAX also need to be
taken into account and American Airlines has

6 | September/October 2021 WWW .GBP .COM.SG/ AAA