Grounded No More: Boeing 737 MAX Cleared for Takeoff After Multi-Year Grounding

Grounded No More: Boeing 737 MAX Cleared for Takeoff After Multi-Year Grounding - FAA Lifts Ban After Software Fixes and Training Changes

After being grounded for nearly two and a half years following two deadly crashes, the Boeing 737 MAX has finally been cleared to return to the skies. In November 2020, the FAA rescinded the order that grounded the jets and laid out the requirements for their safe return to service. This milestone was achieved after extensive work by Boeing engineers to fix the aircraft’s flawed MCAS automated flight control system, as well as improved pilot training protocols.

The MCAS system was implicated in both the Lion Air and Ethiopian Airlines crashes, which together claimed 346 lives. This system was designed to automatically push the nose of the plane down if it was in danger of stalling, but it relied on just one sensor and could activate repeatedly even when not needed. Boeing’s redesign of MCAS now relies on inputs from two sensors, and will only activate once per high-risk situation before requiring pilot intervention.

Along with the engineering fixes, aviation authorities also required substantial updates to MAX flight crew training. Pilots now must undergo enhanced simulator training on the MCAS system, so they understand how to properly handle problematic activations. This includes simulator scenarios similar to the actual crash situations, to ensure pilots have experience recovering.

While Boeing still faces lawsuits from crash victims' families, they can at least start to rebuild trust in the MAX brand with airlines, pilots and the flying public. After these necessary safety improvements, aviation authorities around the world such as the FAA, EASA and others have agreed the MAX is now ready to resume passenger flights.

Grounded No More: Boeing 737 MAX Cleared for Takeoff After Multi-Year Grounding - Airlines Prepare MAX Fleets for Return to Service

After nearly three years gathering dust, airlines with MAX jets are eager to get them back in the air. Carriers like American, United, Southwest and Air Canada have already begun the process of updating their dormant MAX planes and getting pilots retrained. While the return to service will be gradual throughout 2022, most airlines hope to have the MAX fully reincorporated by the end of the year.

For many airlines, returning the MAX to the skies is vital for rebuilding schedules and meeting booming travel demand. The timing coincides nicely with air travel’s resurgence after the pandemic slowdown. American Airlines CEO Robert Isom stated they “can’t wait to get these aircraft back in the air,” as their MAX fleet will allow the restoration of some international routes discontinued during COVID.

Before passenger flights can resume, each stored MAX requires extensive maintenance and testing. All aircraft need to have updated flight control software installed by Boeing technicians. Physical inspections and preventative repairs must be completed after the prolonged downtime. Functional flight tests are then conducted to verify all systems operate normally.

Southwest, the largest MAX operator, has nearly 30% of its fleet comprised of the MAX. Out of service since 2019, Southwest’s 34 MAX jets required over 60,000 maintenance tasks before flying again. The airline expects to have its full MAX fleet operating passenger flights by summer 2022.

In additional to maintenance, MAX return also requires retraining pilots on the updated MCAS software. Airlines have employed a mix of computer-based training and simulator sessions to ensure pilots are proficient operating the modified system. United is putting all 2,500 of its 737 pilots through at least 2.5 hours of MAX training before flying passengers.