FAA and Boeing complete certification flights on 737 MAX, outline next steps

US FAA and Boeing announced (01-Jul-2020) they completed the certification flight tests on the Boeing 737 MAX, with FAA pilots and engineers evaluating Boeing's proposed changes in connection with the automated flight control system on the aircraft over a period of three days. The agency said that while completion of the flights is an important milestone, a number of key tasks remain, including evaluating the data gathered during these flights. The remaining tasks include:

• Joint Operations Evaluation Board (JOEB) validation & Flight Standardization Board (FSB) review. The JOEB - which includes international partners from Canada, Europe and Brazil - will evaluate minimum pilot training requirements. The FSB will issue a draft report for public comment addressing the findings of the FSB and JOEB;
• Final FSB report: The FAA will publish a final FSB report after reviewing and addressing public comments;
• Final design documentation and Technical Advisory Board (TAB) report: The FAA will review Boeing's final design documentation in order to evaluate compliance with all FAA regulations. The multi-agency TAB will also review the final Boeing submission and issue a final report prior to a final determination of compliance by the FAA;
• Continued Airworthiness Notification to the International Community (CANIC) & airworthiness directive (AD) - The FAA will issue a CANIC providing notice of pending significant safety actions and will publish an AD that addresses the known issues for grounding. The AD will advise operators of required corrective actions before aircraft may re-enter commercial service;
• FAA rescinds grounding order: This marks the official ungrounding of the aircraft, pending completion by operators of the work specified in the AD, along with any required training;
• Certificates of airworthiness: The FAA will retain its authority to issue airworthiness certificates and export certificates for all new 737 MAX airplanes manufactured since the grounding. The FAA will perform in-person, individual reviews of these aircraft;
• Operator training programmes: The FAA will review and approve training programmes for all part 121 operators. [more - original PR]