Argentina clears Boeing 737 MAX for commercial operations

Through the Resolution 62/2021 published in the edition of this Wednesday, March 10, the National Civil Aviation Administration of Argentina (ANAC  for its initials in spanish) made official the lifting of the ban on the operations of the Boeing 737 MAX 8 and Boeing 737 MAX 9 in the country.

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Among the considerations, it is indicated that the <<inspectors of the National Directorate of Operational Safety (DNSO) dependent on the National Civil Aviation Administration (ANAC), within the framework of the measures proposed by the company Aerolíneas Argentinas>>, have analyzed the Plans of Instruction presented by Boeing to the Federal Aviation Administration of the United States and that this organism approved.

Resolucion MAX aviso_241650

Last January Aerolíneas Argentinas had reported that the technical crews began theoretical training at CeFePRA (Pilot Training and Training Center of the Argentinian Republic), as the first part of training approved by ANAC «in compliance with the requirements for the return to service and the manufacturer’s recommendations, and carried out mainly under the CBT (Computer Based Training) mode will provide more information about the flight control system of the B737 MAX, including MCAS, and the changes implemented in the aircraft software».

After that, the 737 MAX simulator practices would continue at Boeing to complete the training in Buenos Aires, while the MCAS software is updated along with a change in the wiring. The intention was to re-enter commercial service between April and May. Aerolíneas Argentinas owns five 737 MAX 8.

As we had indicated on one occasion, a key issue in this regard will be that the Asociación de Pilotos de Líneas Aéreas (APLA) lift the mandate not to fly it. In March 2019 they had decided to ground the 737 MAX even before the aeronautical authority, in order to preserve the safety of the crews and passengers.

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The process of recertification of the MAX by the Federal Aviation Administration of the United States ended on November 18, 2020. Since then, several countries have gradually followed the measure. Gol was the first airline in the world to fly them again on a regular basis on December 9. In Latin America and the Caribbean, they have also already been returned to service by Aeroméxico, Cayman Airways and Copa Airlines.