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How does MCAS work on 737 MAX?
The Maneuvering Characteristics Augmentation System (MCAS) flight control law was implemented on the 737 MAX to mitigate the aircraft’s tendency to pitch up because of the aerodynamic effect of its larger, heavier, and more powerful CFM LEAP-1B engines and nacelles.
How many AoA sensors does a 737 MAX have?
two
Stall is indicated through an angle of attack (AoA) sensor – the 737 Max is fitted with two, but MCAS only used one. If that AoA sensor failed, then the MCAS could activate when it shouldn’t, unnecessarily pushing the nose down.
Will the 737 Max ever fly again?
Boeing’s 737 Max is back in service in most of the world, but China remains a holdout. Plus: Everything you need to know about the aircraft. The Boeing 737 Max 8. Two years after it was banned from flying passengers, the Boeing 737 Max has been cleared to return to the skies in much of the world.
How did MCAS change the 737 MAX system?
The revised design allowed MCAS to trigger on the inputs of a single sensor, instead of two factors considered in the original plan.
Why are there two sensors on a 737 MAX?
Given that the 737 Max has had both sensors already, many pilots and safety officials have questioned why the system was designed to rely on a single sensor, creating, in effect, one point of failure [emphasis mine]” Now I understand that this avoids a False Positive, when one erroneous sensor triggers the MCAS.
Why did Boeing not tell pilots about MCAS?
As Boeing and the FAA advanced the 737 MAX toward production, they limited the scrutiny and testing of the MCAS design. Then they agreed not to inform pilots about MCAS in manuals, even though Boeing’s safety analysis expected pilots to be the primary backstop in the event the system went haywire.
Is the updated MCAS software needs two AOA sensors?
If the updated MCAS software needs two AOA sensors, doesn’t that introduce a new single point of failure? Regarding the 737 MAX story, the New York Times writes: