NEWS USA TODAY z THURSDAY, OCTOBER 31, 2019 z 5A
Visit boeing.com/737MAXupdatesAs we continue to make steady progress insafely returning the 737 MAX to service, we willnever forget the lives lost, and our commitmentto safety, quality and integrity is unwavering.We are truly sorry, and we continue to offer our deepest sympathies to thefamilies and friends who lost loved ones in the accidents of Lion Air 610 andEthiopian Airlines 302. The memory of these tragedies will continue to driveus to do everything we can to make our airplanes safer.A progress reporton the 737 MAX,on Boeing, on safety.Safety. Integrity. Quality. They’re thevalues guiding us to make the 737 MAXone of the safest airplanes ever to fly.Supporting victims’ families andtheir communities.The Lion Air and Ethiopian Airlines accidents weigh
heavilyon us and we have made a commitment to
help rebuild the communities and families impacted
by these accidents. To that end, we have established
a $100 million relief fund, $50 million of which is in
an independently run fund that has already begun
providing near-term financial relief to the families of
victims. We’re working with experts, governments,
communities and families to determine how best to
distribute the remaining funds.Updating software. Adding protection.Doing extensive testing.We updated the Maneuvering Characteristics
Augmentation System (MCAS) on the 737 MAX by
adding three additional layers of protection to prevent
accidents like these from ever happening again. To
date, we’ve conducted over 800 test and production
flights with the updated MCAS software, totaling more
than 1,500 hours. We are making a second software
update that provides additional flight control computer
redundancy. Some 545 participants from more than
140 customers and regulators globally, including the
U.S. Federal Aviation Administration, have participated
in simulator sessions of the MCAS software update.
Recently, we completed a dry-run certification flight test.Working with, listening to and learningfrom customers and partners.Boeing has conducted 20 conferences across the globe
withmore than 1,100 participants from over 250
organizations to help prepare the 737 MAX to fly again.
To fully prepare for the safe return to service, we are
holding weekly technical support calls with customers
worldwide. And we have developed a comprehensive
package of training and educational resources.Strengthening the culture ofsafety within Boeing.A specially appointed Board of Directors committee
conducteda rigorous, five-month independent review
of our policies and processes. We have adopted
their recommendations. Late last month, we
announced a new Product and Services Safetyorganization. It will review all aspects of product safety
and maintain oversight of our Accident Investigation
Team as well as our safety review boards. We have also
established a formal Design Requirements Program
and enhanced our Continued Operation Safety
Program. And we are partnering with airline customers
on flight deck designs and expanding the reach of our
Boeing Safety Promotion Center.Improvement that never stops.Across Boeing, we are strengthening safety, including
throughout our supply chain. We have broadened
the use of a comprehensive safety management
system and safety review boards to standardize safety
policies and share best practices. By expanding our
anonymous reporting system, we’re encouraging
employees to bring forward potential safety issues.
As always, we are investing in product design, future
flight decks, infrastructure, regulation, education and
new technologies. Our global operations center will
continue to provide round-the-clock fleet support
to airlines. We are leveraging advanced analytics,
production flights and on-site demonstrations to ready
the fleet to fly once regulators lift the grounding. And,
lookingtothefuture,weare alsoinvestinginSTEM
education to help address the growing need for pilots
and maintenance technicians.