Pilots say no simulator training needed for 737 Max upgrade

A Federal Aviation Administration panel has given its backing to software updates made by Boeing to the 737 Max, stating the system is in their opinion, ‘operationally suitable.’

The Flight Standardization Board is made up of Boeing 737 pilots who said simulator-based training is not necessary for pilots who have flown the previous version of the jet.

The plane maker has recommended a computer-based training system for pilots.

Boeing CEO Dennis Muilenburg recently said the new software update for the ‘Maneuvering Characteristics Augmentation System’ has been tested successfully on nearly 100 test flights so far.

The pilot panel only monitored the training aspect and not the performance of the software update itself.

The software change will include input captured from a second sensor.

Boeing hasn’t submitted the software fix for FAA review yet and will continue real world testing for several more weeks.

All US carriers with 737 Max planes in their fleets have removed them from their scheduling until at least mid-August, heightening fears of rising airfares this summer due to a squeeze on capacity.

The grounding of all Boeing 737 Max aircraft at Southwest Airlines, American and United could result in a combined 300 flight cancelations a day.