Administrator Steve Dickson has fulfilled his promise to pilot the Boeing 737 MAX before the Federal Aviation Administration approves the aircraft’s return to service. [View video of the flight View video of the news briefing].
Dickson’s flight took two hours and included a number of scenarios to demonstrate the proposed software and design changes to the aircraft’s automated flight control system. Dickson, along with FAA Deputy Administrator Dan Elwell, completed the new recommended pilot training for the aircraft on Sept. 29.
“Shortly after I took the helm at the FAA, I made a promise that I would fly the 737 MAX and that I wouldn’t sign off on its return to service until I was comfortable putting my family on it,” said Dickson. “I know you’ve heard me say this before, but the FAA continues to take a thorough and deliberate approach in our review of Boeing’s proposed changes to the 737 MAX. We are in the home stretch, but that doesn’t mean we are going to take shortcuts to get it done by a certain date.
“The FAA — I — will not approve the plane for return to passenger service until I’m satisfied that we’ve adequately addressed all of the known safety issues that played a role in the tragic loss of 346 lives aboard Lion Air Flight 610 and Ethiopian Airlines Flight 302.”
While Dickson’s flight is an important milestone, a number of key steps remain in the FAA’s evaluation of Boeing’s proposed changes to the aircraft’s flight control system and training.
The FAA says that it will not speculate about how long it will be until the aircraft is returned to passenger service. “As we have stated throughout our work on the 737 MAX, the agency is following a deliberate process and will take the time it needs to thoroughly review Boeing’s work. We will lift the grounding order only after FAA safety experts are satisfied that the aircraft meets certification standards.”
The remaining tasks include a Flight Standardization Board (FSB) Report, a Final Design Documentation and Technical Advisory Board (TAB) Report, Continued Airworthiness Notification to the International Community (CANIC) & AD, FAA Rescinds Grounding Order, the Certificates of Airworthiness, and Operator Training Programs.