Evaluating Aircraft Performance With Updated Software

Boeing is conducting test flights with a 737 MAX in an effort to evaluate the airplane's functions using new software.

Business Insider reports that Boeing released a statement to CNBC indicating that one airplane has been flying around the country as part of the campaign to re-certify the aircraft.

"These non-commercial test flights with a small test team on board will exercise short and long-haul flights, seeking out weather and altitude conditions that will help satisfy specific test conditions for the updated software," Boeing said in the statement.

Software was identified as the most likely cause of a malfunction in the plane's MCAS, leading to two accidents and the grounding of the worldwide 737 MAX fleet last year.

These flights are being conducted by Boeing, and not the FAA. Boeing said specifically in its statement to CNBC that the flights are "not certification flights."

There is still no firm timeline for a return to service for the 737 MAX. FAA Administrator Steve Dickson told reporters Tuesday that the agency is following a very diligent process and it is important that we stay focused on the process and not on the timeline," and that certification flights are the "next major milestone" towards getting the airplane back into service.

"Having said that we are approaching a milestone: the certification flight is the next major milestone and once that is completed I think we will have a good bit more clarity on where the process goes forward from there," Dickson said, but added that no certification flights have been scheduled because there are "still ... a few issues to resolve."

(Image from file)

FMI: Source report