For the first time since March 2019, a Boeing 737 MAX carrying paying passengers is airborne... yay? We're starting to see global regulators "unground" the Boeing 737 MAX, with the US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) being among the first to do so. Once "ungrounded," there's a process required…
Continue reading: Brazil’s GOL Becomes First Airline To Resume 737 MAX Flights
Share your questions, experiences, and thoughts below.
Just wondering. Nowhere in this article does it mention whether these 737-MAX aircraft received some sort of updated firmware to resolve concerns.
Were these 737-MAX jets rolled out of storage and flown with no changes to the aircraft? My understanding is that there is more to the return of these aircraft than just additional pilot training.
software fix is there but actual hardware fix will be implemented in the next 2 years...so it makes plane not "fully fixed" now....good luck to all pilots , FAs and customers on board
Perhaps more than any airline the Max is crucial for GOL. It is the only plane it has that can ply the new Florida routes non-stop from NE Brazil that they invested so much in. They need this plane ready and confidence back once they start ramping up Florida operations again.
"Airlines have an uphill battle with convincing people the plane is safe to fly."
I respectfully disagree. The average passenger doesn't know an Airbus from Boeing, let alone a Boeing 737-800 from a 737-8.
@VX_Flyer
According to GOL's CEO, the airline opted for additional testing beyond what was determined by Boeing and the FAA before putting the plane back in service, so my bet is that everything is ik with it. And also, the airline has a close relationship with Boeing regarding technical procedures, so my bet is that they were already preparing the planes to fly again even before the clearence. The airline is EXTREMELY reliable when it comes to safety and maintenance.
As for the "innaugural" flight of the MAX today, out of 186 seats there were 181 passengers, so one has to wonder if this number reflects public confidence towards the aircraft.
The Aeroflap Magazine published today:
"Why GOL was the world's first airline to resume flights with Boeing 737 Max"
They explained in detail the company decision process, starting with the short cycle storage, followed by the plane changes and crew training.
The text can be found (in portuguese) at
https://www.aeroflap.com.br/porque-a-gol-foi-a-primeira-do-mundo-a-retomar-voos-com-o-boeing-737-max/