Boeing’s PR push on MAX

Aviation giant steps up efforts in wake of crashes

BOEING is stepping up efforts to restore confidence in its 737 MAX aircraft, inviting more than 200 airline pilots, technical leaders and regulators to its Seattle factory for an information session this week.

The meeting tomorrow will mark two weeks since the 737 MAX 8 and 9 models were grounded globally following two fatal crashes in five months.

Both crashes, which claimed the lives of 346 people, involved near new Boeing 737 MAX 8 aircraft (pictured).

Boeing said this week’s session was part of an ongoing effort to share more details about its plan to “support the safe return of the 737 MAX to commercial service”.

“We had a productive session (with three US airlines) this past Saturday and plan to reach all current and many future MAX operators and their home regulators,” the aircraft maker said in a statement.

“At the same time, we continue to work closely with our customers and regulators on software and training updates for the 737 MAX.”

The main concern with the 737 MAX 8 relates to a new feature designed to push the nose of the plane down to counter larger engines placed slightly forward on the aircraft.

Pilots have claimed they were not made aware of the manoeuvring characteristics augmentation system (MCAS), which is triggered by information from sensors.

The software fix being developed by Boeing is thought to reduce the authority of MCAS, which has been blamed for flying Lion Air flight 610 into the Java Sea.

It may have also played a role in the Ethiopian Airlines crash this month.

Boeing has taken orders for more than 5000 of the 737 MAX aircraft, of which 376 have been delivered.

Last week Garuda Indonesia became the first airline to cancel its order for the 737 MAX, citing “passengers’ loss of confidence” in the Boeing model.

Lion Air has frozen its order and put on hold the delivery of four more of the aircraft.

Virgin Australia has indicated it will not take up an order for 30 737 MAX 8s unless it is completely confident in the aircraft’s safety.