Transport Canada completes review of 737 MAX, but returning it to service will be "complex"

Safety experts at Transport Canada have completed their review of the Boeing 737 MAX and will be incorporating its validated changes into Canadian-registered aircraft. 

The update, announced on Thursday (Dec. 17), comes after the United States Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) certified the aircraft in November, announcing that it would make changes to software and wiring systems on each plane and provide simulator training to pilots.

Canada's announcement marks a key milestone for the controversial aircraft, which was grounded in March 2019 after two deadly crashes that killed 346 people, including 18 Canadians.

Several flaws in the 737 MAX were confirmed by Boeing last year, including issues with the plane's software.  

READ MORE: Boeing confirms another flaw was found in its 737 MAX software

As a result, carriers around the world, including Air Canada, WestJet and Sunwing in Canada, scrubbed the plane from its schedules, while Boeing suspended production of future 737 MAX models.  

Return to service is "complex"

Transport Canada says it has "worked extensively" with the FAA and other key certifying authorities, including the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA), the National Civil Aviation Agency of Brazil (ANAC), as well as the three Canadian operators of the Boeing 737 MAX aircraft, and their pilot unions throughout its validation process of the aircraft to ensure all factors are addressed prior to a safe return to service of the aircraft. 

READ MORE: Boeing 737 MAX grounded: Air Canada, Sunwing & WestJet respond

This validation is an important first step in the eventual return to service of this aircraft in Canadian airspace. However, the plane's return to service is "complex," the federal department says.  

Transport Canada says it must put in place "comprehensive safety plans that require additional aircraft changes, maintenance and training." 

READ MORE: Boeing crisis escalates as countries ban 737 MAX 8 jets

It says it will work with Canadian airline operators, crews and union associations over the coming weeks to determine how these requirements will be implemented in Canada.

What comes next?

Prior to a return to service of the aircraft in Canadian airspace, Transport Canada says it will require:

• modifications to the aircraft as specified in the Canadian Airworthiness Directive;
• incorporation of the revised pilot training syllabus into the Transport Canada-approved training program for each Canadian airline; and
• airlines to conduct maintenance on the aircraft to ensure it will operate safely, given the aircraft have been in storage for some time.

Specifically, the Canadian design changes for the Boeing 737 MAX will include an enhanced flight deck procedure that provides the option for a pilot-in-command to disable a loud and intrusive warning system (commonly called the "stick shaker") when the system has been erroneously activated by a failure in the angle of attack sensor system. 

READ MORE: Boeing upgrades MCAS software, enhances pilot training

This feature will help to reduce pilot workload "given what has been learned from the two tragic accidents, and has been fully evaluated by Transport Canada's flight test pilots," says Transport Canada. 

There will also be differences in training including training on the enhanced flight deck procedure, it says. 

Restrictions remain in effect 

Meanwhile, restrictions for operating the Boeing 737 MAX aircraft in Canadian airspace remain in effect. 

This "will not be lifted until Transport Canada is fully satisfied that all its safety concerns have been addressed, that required modifications have been incorporated, that enhanced flight crew procedures are in place, and that all training has been conducted in Canada," a government statement clarified. 

For a detailed Q&A on Transport Canada's validation process of the 737 MAX aircraft, click here. 

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