Boeing unveils 737 Max solutions, saying planes are safer

March 27, 2019, 18:20 GMT / Source: CNBC.com

By Phil LeBeau, CNBC

Boeing announced Wednesday software solutions, cockpit alerts and additional pilot training for its 737 Max aircraft, saying the changes have improved the safety of aircraft involved in two fatal crashes since October.

"We are working with customers and regulators around the world to restore confidence in our industry, as well as to reaffirm our commitment to safety and gain the confidence of airline passengers," said Mike Sinnett, Vice President. Boeing, pilots, journalists and regulators at its facility in Renton, Washington.

Many details behind Boeing's plan to repair the Max have been revealed over the past two weeks.

Notable changes to the MAX flight controls include:

• The system to increase the maneuvering characteristics of the aircraft, or the MCAS automated flight control system, will now receive data from both angle of attack sensors instead of just one.
• If these disagree by more than 5.5 degrees, the MCAS system will be disabled and will not push the nose of the plane further down.
• Boeing will add an indicator to the flight control display so that pilots are informed when incidence sensors do not agree.
• Improved training will also be required for the 737 pilots so that they know better how the MCAS system works and how to disable it if it encounters a problem.

"We are working with pilots and industry representatives," Sinnett said. "We have 200 of them today at our Renton facility and we will be spending time with them today to explain the updates we are making to the 737 Max, to get their feedback and gain their trust."

At the end of this week, Boeing plans to send software updates and arrange for enhanced pilot training at the Federal Aviation Administration for approval. The FAA approval process has raised questions in the industry and is the subject of a Senate hearing Wednesday afternoon. Industry representatives believe that the FAA could take up to two weeks to certify the changes.

If the FAA approves the fix, Boeing said it would send the software update to customers. It takes a few days to install, more time for training and testing, the company said.

Nevertheless, the FAA and other regulators around the world must approve the safety of the 737 Max before approving the possibility for aircraft to fly again and carry passengers. Some analysts estimate that it will take at least six weeks and up to 12 weeks before the failed jets resume their flight.