Originally Posted by
Timmy Tomkins
So basically design an unstable aircraft and then use gizmos to make it flyable; what kind of philosophy is that? OK Military fighters are designed that way with fly by wire b ut they are doing a different job with very different risk tolerance levels; for a major manufacturer of passenger aircraft to do this is highly questionable.
The 737 MAX is not a FBW airplane. But, the larger engines had to be placed to cause a shift in the CG. No doubt it was a money over modern design decision by Boeing, but SWA was driving it because they wanted to remain all 737.
BTW, it is not basically an unstable airplane.