737 Max recertification process is unprecedented

Why has it taken so long for the FAA to recertify the 737 Max? After the certification is approved, how long will it take for people feel confident getting on that plane?

– Jim A., Vancouver, Washington

Your question is a timely one. In fact, FAA Administrator Stephen Dickson just testified about this issue Wednesday before the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.

As Dickson told the committee, the complexity of recertifying the 737 Max is unprecedented. After the second accident in March 2019, the airworthiness certificate was withdrawn.

Regulators faced a dilemma: Was their job only to solve the cause of the two crashes, which would have included updating the design of the Maneuvering Characteristics Augmentation System (MCAS), or reevaluate the entire certification basis of the Max? They elected to take the more conservative approach and reevaluate many of the tests and processes.

Many changes were incorporated as a result of this process. Additionally, regulatory agencies from around the world participated. Beyond the regulatory agencies, there were several independent committees that reviewed the certification process of the 737 Max.

The consequences of all of these reviews were numerous improvements that took time to design, implement and gain regulator approval.

Let's hope the aircraft will return to service in the fall.

While there will be people that will be reluctant to fly on the plane initially, that number will decrease as the Max proves itself.

I’m confident in the recertification process and will personally fly on the 737 Max when it returns to service.

Would you take a recreational flight during the pandemic? I know you fly due to the job, but I was wondering about personal travel.

– mapsmith, Arizona

Yes, I would fly recreationally, as long as certain conditions were met. I would need to know that other passengers have not been exposed to anyone with COVID-19 within the previous 14 days. Plus, the airplane needs to be thoroughly sanitized – especially the touch areas (door handles, radio knobs, throttle, etc.) – and everyone onboard should be wearing a facial covering.

GRAEME JENNINGS/POOL VIA AP Michael Stumo holds photographs of the individuals who were killed in the March 10, 2019, crash of Ethiopian Airlines flight 302, as Federal Aviation Administration administrator Stephen Dickson testifies at a hearing.