Boeing Responds

The Maneuvering Characteristics Augmentation System (MCAS) flight control software function has been updated to provide additional layers of protection, including:
– MCAS now compares information from both angle of attack sensors before activating and will only respond if data from both sensors agree;
– MCAS will only activate a single time; and
– MCAS will never provide more input than the pilot can counteract using the control column alone.

These changes will prevent the flight control conditions that occurred on the Lion Air 610 and Ethiopian Airlines 302 flights from ever happening again. To date, we’ve conducted over 985 test and production flights with the updated MCAS software, totaling more than 1,800 hours. We are also making a second software update that provides additional flight control computer redundancy.

There are five key milestones Boeing must complete with the FAA before MAX returns to service, with the first – eCab Simulator Certification – having been completed in November. That evaluation was to ensure the overall software system performs its intended function, both normally and in the presence of system failures.

The next milestone is the FAA Line Pilots Crew Workload Evaluation, which will assess human factors and crew workload under various test conditions. After that, FAA pilots will conduct a certification flight or flights of the final updated software, followed by Boeing’s submittal of the final certification deliverables and artifacts to the FAA to support software certification. Then, the Joint Operational Evaluation Board Simulator Training Evaluation will see global regulatory pilots validate training requirements.

The memory of these tragedies will continue to drive us to do everything
we can to make our airplanes safer

Since the accidents, Boeing has announced a series of changes to sharpen the company’s focus on product and services safety. “Ensuring the safety of the flying public, pilots and crew is our top priority as we work to return the 737 MAX to service,” Boeing President and CEO Dennis Muilenburg said.

In addition to forming a permanent Aerospace Safety Committee of the Boeing Board of Directors, Boeing stood up a new Product and Services Safety organisation that will further strengthen the company’s safety-first focus. This organisation will review all aspects of product safety.

Boeing has realigned its Engineering function, with engineers across Boeing reporting directly to the company’s chief engineer and senior vice president of Engineering, Test & Technology. The company also is:
– establishing a Design Requirements Program to strengthen a culture of continuous improvement, learning and innovation;
– enhancing the Continued Operation Safety Program to raise visibility and transparency of all safety and potential safety reports;
– partnering with commercial and defence customers, and other stakeholders, to ensure flight deck designs continue to anticipate the needs of future pilot populations;
– and expanding the role and reach of the company’s Safety Promotion Center to reinforce Boeing’s long-standing safety culture.

Trust is integral to the flying experience and Boeing is determined to rebuild that trust with the general flying public, our airline customers, pilots and crews. We continue outreach across industry, with more than 20 global conferences and a series of briefings and simulator sessions that in all have reached more than 1,600 participants and over 300 organisations. World of Aviation readers can visit https://www.boeing.com/737-max-updates for updates on 737 MAX.

Lastly, Boeing has made a commitment to help rebuild the communities and families impacted by these accidents. To that end, we have established a $100 million relief fund, $50 million of which is in an independently-run fund that has already begun providing near-term financial relief to the families of victims. We’re working with experts, governments, communities and families to determine how best to distribute the remaining funds.

We are confident that through the work we are doing now in partnership with our customers and regulators — and through our enduring commitment to the safety and quality of our aircraft — the 737 MAX will be one of the safest airplanes ever to fly.