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FAA lays out fixes needed for Boeing 737 Max return to service
The US Federal Aviation Administration has published a list of required fixes needed to get the Boeing 737 Max off the ground again.
In a 36-page report the proposed airworthiness directive requires four main design changes.
It needs updated flight control software, revised software for generating alerts, some flight crew operating procedure changes and to change the routing of some electrical wire bundles.
All these issues had been identified at different times during extensive inspections over the past year.
The FAA has invited public comment on the proposed changes for 45 days.
"Through a thorough, transparent and inclusive process, the FAA has preliminarily determined that Boeing’s proposed changes to the 737 Max design, flight crew procedures and maintenance procedures effectively mitigate the airplane-related safety issues," the FAA said.
A Boeing statement said: "While we still have a lot of work in front of us, this is an important milestone in the certification process."
The changes have come about from 50 hours of FAA flight or simulator tests and analysis of more than 4,000 hours of flight and simulator testing carried out by Boeing.
The agency also wants airlines to carry out operational readiness flights before returning jets to service.
By Ray Montgomery, US Editor
TravelMole Editorial Team
Editor for TravelMole North America and Asia pacific regions. Ray is a highly experienced (15+ years) skilled journalist and editor predominantly in travel, hospitality and lifestyle working with a huge number of major market-leading brands. He has also cover in-depth news, interviews and features in general business, finance, tech and geopolitical issues for a select few major news outlets and publishers.
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