The European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) has indicated it may demand safety retrofits to the Boeing 737 MAX regardless of what Congress decides. The two key changes involve an additional angle of attack measuring system and a stall warning silencing switch to enhance the plane's safety. Let's explore this story in greater detail below.

Europe could mandate MAX retrofits

Boeing is facing yet another obstacle after the EASA warned it would enforce safety retrofits even if US Congress decides not to. US lawmakers are currently considering if the two significant safety changes should be rolled out to in-service MAX 8 and MAX 9 aircraft in exchange for lifting a deadline on cockpit safety systems in the MAX 7 and MAX 10.

For its part, Boeing has said it will make the two features available as an optional retrofit for customers. Should the EASA mandate the safety features in all 737 MAX aircraft, airlines could face different safety standards in Europe than in the US if Congress decides the other way.

Ryanair Boeing 737 MAX 8
Photo: Getty Images

As reported by The Seattle Times, EASA’s head of communications Janet Northcote said via email on Friday,

"Boeing has committed to making these upgrades available for retrofit. The actual retrofit of the in-service fleet can be achieved by different means, including possibly mandatory action from the FAA or EASA."

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What exactly are the changes?

As a condition for re-certifying the Boeing 737 MAX following two deadly crashes in 2019 and 2020, the EASA demanded that Boeing develop two key safety features for the Boeing 737 MAX 10 that could then be retrofitted to the MAX 8 and MAX 9.

The first involves an additional angle of attack system, either a physical sensor or a "synthetic" sensor, that would come into play when the two existing AoA sensors offer disparate readings. It was a faulty AoA sensor that caused the MAX's Maneuvering Characteristics Augmentation System (MCAS) to activate on both crashes.

Boeing 737 MAX 10 cockpit
Photo: Getty Images

Similar to the Airbus A320's three-sensor design, the EASA wants the MAX to feature an additional AoA measuring system "that in some way matches that, but doesn’t necessarily have to be a third sensor." This could be similar to the 'Synthetic Airspeed' system onboard the Boeing 787 Dreamliner, which cross-checks AoA data with other inputs to prevent false readings.

The second change would see a silencing switch for the "stick shaker", a stall warning device. Investigators noted that stall warnings significantly distracted pilots during both MAX crashes. Unfortunately for Boeing, it would have to front the cost of implementing these two features into existing aircraft.

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MAX 7 and 10 extension proposal

Earlier this week, Senate Commerce Committee Chair, Senator Maria Cantwell, drafted a proposal that would grant Boeing an extension to the looming December 27th deadline under certain conditions. The conditions would be that Boeing would have to retrofit the two key safety features in all Boeing 737 MAX 8 and MAX 9 aircraft.

737 MAX 7 Heading Out on 2018-06-16 Test Flight From KBFI
Photo: Joe Kunzler | Simple Flying

Cantwell added that Republican senators are advocating for "a clean extension and calling it a day," which would essentially grant Boeing an extension with no further requirements. Boeing's CEO, Dave Calhoun, has previously said that he believed the deadline would be extended, but it isn't clear if the aerospace manufacturer is happy with the strings attached to Cantwell's proposal.

Do you think these two safety features should be mandatory on all Boeing 737 MAX aircraft? Let us know your insights in the comments.

Source: The Seattle Times

  • 787-8 Dreamliner
    Boeing
    Stock Code:
    BA
    Date Founded:
    1916-07-15
    CEO:
    Dave Calhoun
    Headquarters Location:
    Chicago, USA
    Key Product Lines:
    Boeing 737, Boeing 747, Boeing 757, Boeing 767, Boeing 777, Boeing 787
    Business Type:
    Planemaker