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All Boeing 737 Max aircraft have been on the ground for over a year and a half, as a result of two tragic crashes which killed 346 people. Tests have been ongoing ever since, and the EASA, the European aviation authority, has now determined that the aircraft is safe to fly again.
In recent months there have been a series of test flights of the 737 Max, following modifications designed to fix the previous issues.
Last week, Patrick Ky, Executive Director of EASA, confirmed to Bloomberg that he expects to be able to give official approval next month for the Boeing 737 Max aircraft to start flying before the end of the year.
“Our analysis is showing that this is safe, and the level of safety reached is high enough for us…What we discussed with Boeing is the fact that with the third sensor, we could reach even higher safety levels.”
Bottom line
Assuming that the FAA in America reaches a similar conclusion to EASA soon, it looks very likely that the 737 MAX will be back in the skies before the end of 2020.
Perhaps the bigger question though is whether passengers will be comfortable flying in the aircraft.
Its fuel efficiency makes it attractive to airlines, but due to COVID-19 hitting demand heavily, most of them have plenty of other aircraft they could use. Capacity is unlikely to be problem for the next year or two.
Would you be happy to fly in a 737 MAX in future?
I flew one belonging to Norwegian back in August 2018. Yes, I would certainly fly in one again.
Not unless there was no option, and not before it has flown around uneventfully for several years. Even if the software problem has been corrected and a second sensor added, the basic design of the aircraft may be flawed. Boeing wanted to attach new larger engines to the existing 737 frame and the only way to do that was to place them too far forward, creating an inherently unaerodynamic shape that is kept stable by software. The A350 is a beautifully-designed aircraft with success written all over it. The Max is the opposite.
No thank you. I might consider it in a few years time if there have been no other incidents but it’s just not worth the risk and when I fly it’s for enjoyment and I would not enjoy a flight in this aircraft.
Sure. There’s no pilot in the world unaware of the correct response now.
No way would I fly in that unstable airframe.
I’m a retired commercial pilot with 19k hrs under my belt.
A matter of risk. Coronavirus or the Boeing Max causing an issue?
From recollection, the FAA followed the Canadians into self certification and more hands-off from the certification process; then Boeing became ever more self-important. I would imagine the Max is now fairly reliable and EASA are solid regulators but I will leave for a year as Airbus have some fine aircaft.
Short answer: No.
Longer answer: Hell no!
Realistically… how many people pay attention to the aircraft type when booking their flight, especially since the airlines will hide it as 73X or something.
And then how many fewer people will notice at the airport and decide not to board the plane (or will get off once onboard). Not too many I imagine…
I would be worried if that plane was used.I would look into the facts safe or not safe.Not sure if I would get on the plane when push come to shove