The European aviation authority EASA does not want to blindly rely on the
FAA when it comes to the recertification of the Boeing 737 MAX. The
authority wants to test the aircraft itself before the green light is given
to resume the flights. EASA seems to impose stricter requirements than the
FAA.
 
EASA director Patrick Ky spoke last week in the European Parliament about
the problems around the 737 MAX, which has been on the ground for half a
year. In Europe, Norwegian and TUI are among the largest users of the type.
 
Among other things, EASA wants Boeing to demonstrate the stability of the
MAX during extreme maneuvers. Not only when the updated MCAS is running,
but also when this system is switched off.
 
EASA further reports to the Seattle Times that it is not satisfied with the
improvements proposed by Boeing to the Angle of Attack (AoA) system.
Problems with the AoA sensors caused the offending MCAS to be triggered in
the accidents in Indonesia and Ethiopia.
 
"We are following a methodical approach to assess the overall safety
of flight control and associated functions of the aircraft, as well as the
pilot interaction with the systems, to take into account the human factors
involved," EASA reports.
 
Earlier this week, Alexandre de Juniac of aviation industry organization
IATA expressed concern about the different views of aviation authorities in
the 737 MAX issue. "We do not see the necessary consensus among
international regulators," he told Reuters.
 
"We see a discrepancy that is harmful to the industry," De Juniac
added. He encouraged supervisors to "collectively" make changes
to the certification process.
 
Boeing hopes to receive FAA approval for the 737 MAX in October, so that
the plane can come back into service again this year. FAA approval would
only apply to US airlines; European airlines require permission from EASA.

--- D'Bridge 3.99