Boeing has announced that it has completed a software update for its 737 MAX aircraft, which was grounded worldwide after two of the planes were involved in recent fatal crashes.
The company stated that it has flown the aircraft with updated MCAS software on 207 flights for more than 360 hours.
Boeing will now give information to the US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) on how pilots interact with the airplane controls and displays in different flight scenarios.
The airplane manufacturer will subsequently work with the regulatory body to schedule its certification test flight.
The FAA is yet to receive final certification documentation from Boeing.
Meanwhile, the FAA and other global aviation regulators will meet next week to discuss reviews of Boeing’s software update and new pilot training.
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By GlobalDataBoeing chairman, president and CEO Dennis Muilenburg said: “With safety as our clear priority, we have completed all of the engineering test flights for the software update and are preparing for the final certification flight.
“We’re committed to providing the FAA and global regulators all the information they need, and to getting it right. We’re making clear and steady progress and are confident that the 737 MAX with updated MCAS software will be one of the safest airplanes ever to fly.
“The accidents have only intensified our commitment to our values, including safety, quality and integrity, because we know lives depend on what we do.”
Furthermore, the company has developed training and education materials that are now being reviewed by the FAA, airline customers and global regulators.
At this stage, it remains unclear when the grounded 737 MAX aircraft will resume services.
Airlines around the world grounded the aircraft in what is a severe blow to Boeing’s business.
The grounding was triggered by a fatal Ethiopian Airlines crash in March minutes after takeoff from Addis Ababa Bole International Airport in Ethiopia. The flight was destined for Nairobi, Kenya.
The accident resulted in the death of all 157 people onboard the flight.
It came after another 737 MAX operated by Lion Air crashed last October, killing 189 passengers.
Reports recently emerged that pilots confronted a Boeing official about a computerised anti-stall system during a meeting in November, four months before the Ethiopian Airlines crash.
