Max 737 boeing completes software update
A significant development!
On April 6, 2022, Boeing announced that it had completed the software update for the Max 737 aircraft, which has been grounded since March 2019 following two fatal crashes.
The update, known as MCAS (Maneuvering Characteristics Augmentation System), is designed to prevent similar accidents from happening in the future. MCAS is a software system that helps stabilize the aircraft during flight, but it was implicated in the crashes of Lion Air Flight 610 and Ethiopian Airlines Flight 302, which killed a total of 346 people.
The updated software includes several key changes, including:
- Improved MCAS logic: The system will now only activate in response to a single angle of attack (AOA) sensor reading, rather than multiple readings, which was a factor in the previous crashes.
- Enhanced AOA sensor validation: The system will now validate AOA sensor readings more thoroughly to prevent false or faulty readings from triggering MCAS.
- Improved pilot alerts: The system will provide more clear and timely alerts to pilots if MCAS is activated, allowing them to take corrective action.
- Reduced MCAS authority: The system's authority will be reduced to prevent it from making sudden and extreme pitch changes.
The update was tested on a simulator and in flight tests, and Boeing has submitted the results to the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) for review and approval.
Once approved, the updated software will be rolled out to all Max 737 aircraft, which are currently grounded worldwide. The FAA has indicated that it expects to lift the grounding order once the update is approved and implemented.
The completion of the software update is a significant step towards returning the Max 737 to service, but it's not the only hurdle to overcome. Boeing and the FAA must still conduct additional testing and validation, and airlines must also train their pilots on the updated system.
However, this development marks a major milestone in the process of restoring public trust in the Max 737 and getting the aircraft back in the air.