Originally Posted by
bill fly
Given the ever increasing down time, basic changes could and should be made:
1) Decommission MACS feature and replace by a change to the mechanical feel in the control run, to achieve higher stick load at higher AoA with no stabiliser input
2) Build in a standby trim motor and scrap the trim wheel (see MD-80 for example)
3) Start from scratch with the trim electric logic and simplify the cut-out, column cut-out and trim switch confusion
4) Test fly and certify trim runaway situations on Max and NG
5) Create a “difference” course and market it to future operators at an attractive price - free for present operators
6) Make public the above, certify the Max and recommend the trim mod to NG operators
Takes time - takes money? So do crashes and down time, as we see.
All good plans but....
10 MAX are being produced a week with the current physical spec. In order to achieve certification for these frames with the above modifications ANOTHER, separate design and approval process needs to run.
Then the modifications need to be made to each airframe, while still building new MAXes to the revised spec as above. Where does the manufacturing or maintenance capacity exist to do this?
This is why Boeing is fixated on a software revision.