BOEING 737 MAX (Part 2)
In Part 1, it was argued that the incorporation of any version of the Maneuvering Characteristics Augmentation System (MCAS) or any other form of ancillary automation to compensate for a problematic aerodynamic integration aspect of the 737 MAX design, rendered the 737 MAX non-compliant in respect of the (Stall characteristics) 14 CFR 25.203(a) requirement to “promptly prevent stalling and to recover from a stall by normal use of controls.”
Many have contrariwise argued that MCAS was not developed to assist in stall prevention or recovery.
At issue, therefore, is public scrutiny of 14 CFR 25.201 (Stall demonstration) compliance for the 737 MAX.
With respect to that issue, on October 14, 2020, this writer forwarded an email to Transport Canada under the title, Boeing 737 MAX Flight Control System Joint Authorities Technical Review (JATR), requesting assistance with this matter in respect of two specific questions. That email is reproduced as follows (with minor administrative deletions by this writer):
[...]
As you know, the Boeing 737 MAX Flight Control System Joint Authorities Technical Review (JATR), of which you were a participant, rendered its final submittal to the FAA just over a year ago, on October 11, 2019 (https://www.faa.gov/news/media/attachments/Final_JATR_Submittal_to_FAA_Oct_2019.pdf).
My questions to you are:
(a) whether the FAA has implemented any or all of the JATR recommendations in respect of the Boeing 737 MAX, and in particular Recommendation R3.5 that states:
“The FAA should review 14 CFR 25.201 (Stall Demonstration) compliance for the B737 MAX and determine if the flight control augmentation functions provided by STS/MCAS/EFS constitute a stall identification system.”
(b) whether the implementation of any or all of the JATR recommendations is a prerequisite for re-certification of the Boeing 737 MAX by the FAA and/or other civil aviation authorities, including Transport Canada.
Your assistance with this matter would be greatly appreciated.
[...]
To date, this writer has not received a response from Transport Canada to the above questions.
Does anyone know definitively whether the FAA has implemented JATR Recommendation R3.5?
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