Boeing 737 MAX 10 has been cleared by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to move to the second phase of its certification after facing delays amid unresolved engine de-icing issues, according to a Reuters report. Boeing and the FAA have declined to comment on this matter, as per the report.
Boeing 737 MAX variant jets:
Boeing 737 MAX variant jets are the best-selling jets of the U.S.-based aircraft company. Boeing MAX 8 and 9 are currently in operation, which have accumulated tens of thousands of flying hours. The MAX 7 is a shortened variant of the MAX 8 and 9.
The MAX 10 is the largest variant of the 737 MAX aircraft. According to Cirium, the U.S. planemaker has more than 1,200 orders of the MAX 10 variant to deliver. The deliveries of the MAX 10 variant aircraft will boost the revenue and cash flow of the company.
This week, Alaska Airlines ordered 105 MAX 10 aircraft, and Alaska CEO Ben Minicucci mentioned that he is confident the MAX 10 will be certified this year.
The FAA last year approved Boeing to increase the production of its 737 MAX aircraft to 42 planes per month from 38 planes. Boeing’s higher officials have mentioned earlier that they are expecting to get the certificates this year for the MAX 7 and 10.
But it is hit by the delay because of engine de-icing. The company has also faced delays in its widebody 777X aircraft certification. The MAX 7 is yet to get the approval from the FAA to move to the second phase. Currently, only MAX 10 has received the approval, according to Reuters’ source.
Engine de-icing:
Engine de-icing is a term that refers to removing or preventing ice formation in the engine. Ice formation can happen when the moist air enters the engine at low temperatures. It can happen easily in the aircraft engine as the outside temperature of the aircraft while flying is very low.
To avoid this, engine de-icing needs to happen. This can be in methods like Bleed-air anti-icing or electrical heating using sensors, among others.
Boeing 737 MAX has been facing an engine de-icing issue, which is unresolved as of now. Phase two of the certification involves avionics, propulsion and other parts of the design. Until the certification, Boeing cannot start production of the 737 MAX 7 and 10 variant jets.
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