No Need For Simulator Training Of New Boing 737 Max, US Regulators

A board of pilot experts appointed by U.S. aviation regulators has reviewed Boeing Co.'s proposed software fix for the grounded 737 Max aircraft and concluded that pilots won't need additional simulator training once the plane is returned to service.

The report by a Federal Aviation Administration Flight Standardization Board is an important first step in reviewing the still-unfinished upgrade to the 737 Max family of aircraft. It was posted on the FAA's website and the public has until April 30 to make comments.

The proposal calls for stepped up training on the anti-stall system called MCAS that is linked to two fatal crashes but stops short of requiring costly simulator training that could complicate the plane's return to service.

The Chicago-based planemaker is devising a software fix to make the system less aggressive and to prevent it from making the repeated nose-down commands seen in the accidents. It will also include new cockpit alerts showing when the system malfunctions.

The board last month conducted a new evaluation of MCAS as a result of the accidents. And was reported that the MCAS system was found to be operationally suitable.