Originally Posted by
reverserunlocked
The ferry flights are being conducted with Flap 1 to eliminate the possibility of MCAS activating.
Why?
If the AoA vane operation was checked prior to take off and no bird strikes were encountered below the first few thousand feet, the chance of a spontaneous AoA/computer hardware failure occurring in such a small number of flights is virtually nil. On top of that, the first signs of any trim related abnormality would be responded to correctly in seconds by a flight crew who would have a very heightened awareness of the MAX’s problems (the reason for their flight in the first place.) Flying a non-normal configuration could possibly increase the chances of a mishap more than a chance MCAS activation.
MCAS is a real danger to aviation in general, but in a small number of highly monitored flights that danger has got to be minimal.