Originally Posted by
Mad (Flt) Scientist
I also wonder if this somewhat third hand information passed through hands which don't understand the difference.
I can easily imagine someone who has had a briefing (but without notes given) then passing on to a third party "Boeing said they did 1850 hours of testing" and that other person thinking they meant "flight testing"
No, the figures are direct from the reports published by people having been invited.
By the way, here is the most complete account I could find about the visit (French only, I'm afraid)
Boeing 737 MAX et MCAS : résumé de deux jours passé au siège de Boeing à Seattle | Sécurité aérienne et peur en avion
It appears nothing new was revealed, apart from the dubious '1850' number.