Boeing software update and training tweaks ‘operationally suitable’, says FAA

A review of Boeing’s grounded 737 Max plane by the US aviation regulator has ruled that a planned software update and pilot training tweaks are “operationally suitable”.

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The decision marks an important milestone in getting the firm’s best-selling plane back in the air after authorities grounded it following two deadly crashes in six months, which killed a total of 346 people.

Boeing plans to roll out a software update on the plane to prevent incorrect data from triggering an anti-stall system which is suspected of causing the two crashes by forcing the aircraft’s nose into the ground.

The draft report from the Flight Standardization Board (FSB) appointed by the FAA, which includes pilots, engineers and other experts, said additional training was needed for the system, but not required to be done in a simulator. The board said ground training “must address system description, functionality, associated failure conditions, and flight crew alerting.” The public has until April 30 to make comments.

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The FAA still must approve the software package and training once Boeing formally submits them to the agency.