Looking back, I wonder what the Boeing and FAA assumptions and plans originally were and now are on the subject of simulators for the new generation of MAX (7-8-9-10) aircraft ? Did the FAA and other regulators require a dedicated simulator series? Did Boeing assume these were or were not necessary? What does which regulation(s) say about this?
The only confirmation appears to be that Boeing had an E-CAB also usable for MAX. Some suggest that at the start of this year there were only 1 or 2 more basic sims useable for MAX. Simulator builders would have to prepare, get MAX drawings, get MAX data sets, etcetera. I have not heard about any of that.
If no in-depth plans were made and work started on building simulators, then requiring sim-time by new rules/regulations would put the availability of simulators on the critical time path.
Would be interesting to learn more about this subject.