Originally Posted by
fireflybob
Was it a certification requirement that MCAS had to be installed on the B737 Max? One presumes that if MCAS had not been installed these accidents would not have occurred. You have to be careful that when you attempt to fix one problem (potential stall) that you don't generate other issues. Are we trying to make modern aircraft too "idiot proof"?
It's been well explained in this thread but the short version is that the MAX demonstrated reducing stick forces at increasing alpha. It's a certification requirement that it doesn't do that and MCAS is supposed to remove that effect.