NEW YORK: Boeing on Saturday said it had to correct flaws in its 737 MAX flight simulator software used to train pilots, after two fatal crashes involving the airplane that killed 346 people.
"Boeing has made corrections to the 737 MAX simulator software and has provided additional information to device operators to ensure that the simulator experience is representative across different flight conditions," it mentioned in a statement.
The corporate didn't indicate when it first become acutely aware of the issue, and whether or not it knowledgeable regulators.
Its statement marked the primary time Boeing said there was once a design flaw in software connected to the 737 MAX, whose MCAS anti-stall software has been blamed largely for the Ethiopian Airlines tragedy.
According to Boeing, the flight simulator software was once incapable of reproducing positive flight conditions very similar to those on the time of the Ethiopian Airlines crash in March or the Lion Air crash in October.
The corporate mentioned the newest "changes will improve the simulation of force loads on the manual trim wheel," a hardly ever used manual wheel to keep watch over the plane's angle.
"Boeing is working closely with the device manufacturers and regulators on these changes and improvements, and to ensure that customer training is not disrupted," it added.
Southwest Airlines, a big 737 MAX customer with 34 of the airplane in its fleet, informed AFP it anticipated to receive the primary simulator "late this year."
American Airlines, which has 24 of the airplane, mentioned it had ordered a 737 MAX simulator that will likely be delivered and put into operation in December.
"As a result of the continuing investigation into both aircraft accidents, we are looking at the potential for additional training opportunities in coordination with the FAA (Federal Aviation Administration) and Allied Pilots Association," it added.
Certification procedure
The planes were grounded around the world, waiting for approval from US and international regulators prior to they are able to return to carrier.
Only Air Canada has a MAX simulator, trade assets informed AFP.
Currently, there is just one flight simulator particular to the 737 MAX in the United States, and it is owned by way of Boeing, in line with FAA documentation.
US airlines train their pilots flying the MAX on a simulator constructed for the 737 NG, the model preceding the 737 MAX in the 737 airplane circle of relatives.
Southwest mentioned that is as a result of during the certification procedure for the MAX, Boeing stressed out that there have been best minor variations with the NG and easy computer and online coaching may just accommodate for the differences.
The FAA, the European Union Aviation Safety Agency and Canadian regulators had licensed those suggestions, Boeing stresses.
However, the 737 NG lacks an MCAS, specially designed for the MAX in an effort to correct an aerodynamic anomaly because of its heavier motor and to forestall the plane from stalling.
Pilot coaching might be on the heart of the assembly of international regulators in Forth Worth, Texas on Thursday when the FAA will try convince its counterparts of the robustness of its certification procedure for the modified 737 MAX.
The American regulator has maintained that coaching pilots on a simulator is not essential, a place with which pilots and its Canadian counterpart disagree.
Boeing mentioned Thursday that it completed its software replace on the 737 MAX.
The proposed repair, which addresses a problem with a flight dealing with machine regarded as a consider both crashes, must now win approval from US and international regulators prior to the planes can return to carrier.
US airlines have centered August because the date they be expecting to resume flying on the 737 MAX.
"Boeing has made corrections to the 737 MAX simulator software and has provided additional information to device operators to ensure that the simulator experience is representative across different flight conditions," it mentioned in a statement.
The corporate didn't indicate when it first become acutely aware of the issue, and whether or not it knowledgeable regulators.
Its statement marked the primary time Boeing said there was once a design flaw in software connected to the 737 MAX, whose MCAS anti-stall software has been blamed largely for the Ethiopian Airlines tragedy.
According to Boeing, the flight simulator software was once incapable of reproducing positive flight conditions very similar to those on the time of the Ethiopian Airlines crash in March or the Lion Air crash in October.
The corporate mentioned the newest "changes will improve the simulation of force loads on the manual trim wheel," a hardly ever used manual wheel to keep watch over the plane's angle.
"Boeing is working closely with the device manufacturers and regulators on these changes and improvements, and to ensure that customer training is not disrupted," it added.
Southwest Airlines, a big 737 MAX customer with 34 of the airplane in its fleet, informed AFP it anticipated to receive the primary simulator "late this year."
American Airlines, which has 24 of the airplane, mentioned it had ordered a 737 MAX simulator that will likely be delivered and put into operation in December.
"As a result of the continuing investigation into both aircraft accidents, we are looking at the potential for additional training opportunities in coordination with the FAA (Federal Aviation Administration) and Allied Pilots Association," it added.
Certification procedure
The planes were grounded around the world, waiting for approval from US and international regulators prior to they are able to return to carrier.
Only Air Canada has a MAX simulator, trade assets informed AFP.
Currently, there is just one flight simulator particular to the 737 MAX in the United States, and it is owned by way of Boeing, in line with FAA documentation.
US airlines train their pilots flying the MAX on a simulator constructed for the 737 NG, the model preceding the 737 MAX in the 737 airplane circle of relatives.
Southwest mentioned that is as a result of during the certification procedure for the MAX, Boeing stressed out that there have been best minor variations with the NG and easy computer and online coaching may just accommodate for the differences.
The FAA, the European Union Aviation Safety Agency and Canadian regulators had licensed those suggestions, Boeing stresses.
However, the 737 NG lacks an MCAS, specially designed for the MAX in an effort to correct an aerodynamic anomaly because of its heavier motor and to forestall the plane from stalling.
Pilot coaching might be on the heart of the assembly of international regulators in Forth Worth, Texas on Thursday when the FAA will try convince its counterparts of the robustness of its certification procedure for the modified 737 MAX.
The American regulator has maintained that coaching pilots on a simulator is not essential, a place with which pilots and its Canadian counterpart disagree.
Boeing mentioned Thursday that it completed its software replace on the 737 MAX.
The proposed repair, which addresses a problem with a flight dealing with machine regarded as a consider both crashes, must now win approval from US and international regulators prior to the planes can return to carrier.
US airlines have centered August because the date they be expecting to resume flying on the 737 MAX.
Boeing acknowledges flaw in 737 MAX simulator software
![Boeing acknowledges flaw in 737 MAX simulator software]()
Reviewed by Kailash
on
May 19, 2019
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