“Flights with the FAA test pilot can start as early as tomorrow, evaluating Boeing’s proposed changes to the automatic flight control system at 737 MAX,” the government wrote in a letter to MPs, obtained by CNN. “Testing is expected to take several days, and will include a variety of flight maneuvers and emergency procedures to enable agencies to assess whether the change meets FAA certification standards.”
“Boeing continues to work diligently to support the safe return of 737 Max to commercial services. We are subject to the FAA and global regulators in the process,” Boeing said in a statement to CNN on Sunday.
The aircraft cannot return to service until it receives final approval from the FAA.
The FAA letter to Congress said the start of the test flight did not indicate the agency had “completed an evaluation of its compliance or other work related to returning to service.” The agency outlined in the letter the steps that would remain in the cleaning process after the test flight, which included evaluating the minimum pilot training requirements among other processes.
– CNN, Greg Wallace, Rebekah Riess, and Hollie Silverman contributed to this report.
