Originally Posted by
Kakaru
I doubt to be honest. The A321 for example is not known for very high approach speeds, despite higher overall weights. Flap design (with multiple slots as on the A321) can make a difference. MTOW is not really an indicator here. The maximum landing weight needs to be known.
The Max 9 is listed at 74.3T so it will be somewhere close to that I would assume.
How much more can they do before they lose the type-rating? If you are talking redesigning flap systems what relationship is that to the certificate? I am assuming they can't add any more stages of flaps so it's only a few aerodynamic tweaks and how much difference will that make? Personally I suspect this thing will be coming in like the Space Shuttle unless there is some aerodynamic changes they can sneak in there.