Aviation
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Closer?
Boeing CFO says certification of MAX variants closer
Boeing 737 MAX 7
Image: Boeing
Rafael Ramos
3/24/2023
Speaking at a Bank of America investor event, Brian West, Boeing's CFO, said he expects certification of the 737 MAX 7 this year, as well as first deliveries. However, the difficulties continue. Test flights for the 737-7 were completed in late 2021.
Boeing avoids predicting for sure when it will have FAA approval. The questions are now about the safety system, as the FAA is more demanding after the fatal crashes with the MAX 8.
"They have to validate their assumptions about the pilots' responses," a source with certification experience told Aviation Week, pointing to internal deficiencies as part of Boeing's problems. “When they were developing the 777 [in the early 1990s], they were the gold standard. You asked for documentation on anything, and they had it for you in a heartbeat. Everything was organized and well documented. it's more true, and that's part of why they're fighting right now."
Southwest Airlines is the largest customer for the 737-7, with 186 orders. The airline had expected deliveries to begin in 2022. But the lengthy certification process has forced it to keep its aging 737-700s in service.
The airline's CEO, Bob Jordan, believes that certification will only be a reality in 2024. Despite this, he says that the carrier's capacity will not be affected.
MAX 10 certification, on the other hand, is more difficult. Because it is bigger, the plane needs design changes, including some motivated by the MAX grounding due to accidents. The aircraft has not yet begun its flight tests under the type inspection authorization granted by the FAA.
Brian West predicts certification and first deliveries "probably within the next year".
Boeing 737 MAX family
Image: Boeing
Boeing 737 MAX 10
Image: Boeing
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Rafael Ramos
Aviation enthusiast from an early age, he had his first contacts with the area developing that good old habit of spending dozens of hours in front of the screens of Micrsoft Flight Simulator and other simulators. With a solid background in various technological areas, including engineering and chemistry, Rafael has rejoined aviation as editor and author of articles and materials on our portal, providing invaluable help to the dynamics and expansion of the website and the aeronautical community, bringing us the news and updates so indispensable for us to remain current in our area of operation.
   
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