https://aviationweek.com/themes/custom/particle/dist/app-drupal/assets/AW_logo_horizontal_small_white.svg Skip to main content We will be performing site maintenance on Tuesday, September 29 starting at 3:00am EDT / 8:00am BST and anticipate it will take approximately 1 hour.
Ah, the Boeing 737 MAX 10 – the aircraft that just can’t seem to catch a break. If you’ve been following the aviation world, you might have heard that the FAA has decided to delay the certification of this much-anticipated jet. Why, you ask? Well, it seems a little software issue decided to crash the party. And not the fun kind of crashing, either.
According to the FAA, this software snag could potentially prevent pilots from accessing automated flight guidance during a specific landing scenario. You know, the part of flying that’s generally considered pretty important. I mean, who wants to land a plane manually when you can let the software do the heavy lifting? It’s like deciding to lift weights instead of using a perfectly good gym machine – no thanks!
Boeing, in its typical fashion, announced that they’re working on a fix. They’ve informed operators and are developing a software update to address the problem. But don’t hold your breath; this isn’t a fast-food drive-thru. Just the other day, Boeing’s shares took a nosedive, falling 6.3%. Ouch. Investors are a bit jittery about the MAX 10’s timeline, especially since it’s supposed to help Boeing reclaim its throne in the single-aisle market, which has been somewhat dominated by Airbus lately.
FAA Administrator Bryan Bedford made it clear that there will be a delay in certification until they’re satisfied that everything is shipshape. When asked how long the delay might be, he waved his hands in the air as if to say, “Who knows?” But he did mention that GE Aerospace, the software supplier and jet-engine maker, might work on a fix quicker than usual. You know, because the spotlight is on them. Let’s hope they don’t take too long, or we might need to start thinking about alternative modes of transportation – like, say, a horse and buggy.
Despite this pesky software bug, Bedford reassured everyone that pilots still have control – unlike the earlier undisclosed software issues that led to tragic crashes in 2018 and 2019. So, at least there’s that small comfort. The FAA is also planning to convene a Corrective Action Review Board to investigate this issue. Sounds fancy, right? It’s like a board meeting but with more coffee and less enthusiasm.
In the meantime, some airlines are chiming in about their experiences. WestJet, the Canadian carrier, stated they haven’t faced any in-service issues and don’t see this as a safety concern. Phew! They have standard operating procedures and training to tackle such scenarios, so it seems like they’re on top of things. Alaska Airlines and United Airlines, on the other hand, are playing it safe. United won’t accept deliveries of aircraft equipped with the software version under scrutiny, while Alaska is working closely with Boeing and the FAA.
So, what’s the takeaway from all this? While the Boeing 737 MAX 10 continues to face hurdles, it’s essential to remember that safety is the priority. Delays can be frustrating, but they’re there to ensure that when we do take to the skies, we can do so without worrying about whether our aircraft’s software has decided to take a vacation.
In the end, let’s hope that Boeing sorts this out soon. Because, honestly, we could all use a little less drama in the aviation world. Until then, keep your fingers crossed and maybe invest in some good old-fashioned road maps – just in case!
Inspired by: “FAA: Boeing 737 Max 10 certification delayed by software issue” (r/Crypto)