Created Wednesday, Nov 18th 2020 13:20Z, last updated Tuesday, Nov 24th 2020 21:00Z
On Nov 18th 2020 the FAA released their Notice: Boeing 737-8 and 737-9 Airplanes: Return to Service stating:
This notice provides policy, information, and direction to certain Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) employees regarding the maintenance actions required for operators to complete prior to returning the Boeing Company Model 737-8 and 737-9 (referred to collectively as the 737 MAX) airplanes to service. The FAA has identified the required return-to-service activities for operators of the 737 MAX and heightened surveillance and tracking of those related activities for aviation safety inspectors (ASI).
The notice references AD 2020-24-02, which at the time of this writing has not surfaced on the published Airworthiness Directives on the FAA website, stating:
AD 2020-24-02 requires installing new flight control computer (FCC) software, revising the existing Airplane Flight Manual (AFM) to incorporate new and revised flightcrew procedures, installing new MAX display system (MDS) software, changing the horizontal stabilizer trim wire routing installations, completing an AOA sensor system test, and performing an operational readiness flight. This AD also allows operation (dispatch) of an airplane with certain inoperative systems only if certain, more restrictive provisions are incorporated in the operator’s existing FAA-approved minimum equipment list (MEL).
Other Applicable ADs.
In addition, during the time since the FAA issued the Emergency Order of Prohibition that grounded the Boeing 737 MAX airplanes, the FAA has issued a number of other ADs affecting the fleet of which responsible ASIs should be aware. All ADs affecting 737 MAX airplanes can be found at .
The proposed AD 2020-24-02 final rule spanning 115 pages is actually available in the FAA's MAX reading room (thanks to reader Keenan on Thursday, Nov 19th 2020 21:15Z for the tip off!)
On Nov 20th 2020 China and Canada indicated their grounding orders remain in effect pending the conclusion of their own validation processes. No comment has yet been released by EASA.
On Nov 24th 2020 the EASA released their Proposed Airworthiness Directive PAD-20-184 to return the Boeing 737 MAX aircraft to service starting 2021. Comments to the proposal can be submitted until December 22nd 2020 (all needed data inside the PAD). The proposal differs in several parts from the FAA AD.
