Re:Boeing delays 737 MAX software fix delivery
by salawat on Tuesday April 02, 2019 @02:37PM
(#19557232)
Actually, the engines don't need to be on for the problematic behavior to manifest since the extra lift at high AoA is a direct result of the geometry of the wing+nacelle.
Re:Boeing delays 737 MAX software fix delivery
by cal5k on Tuesday April 02, 2019 @03:20PM
(#19557671)
That's fair, but I can't imagine it would be a problem at the attitude required for optimal glide slope in an engine-out scenario?
Re:Boeing delays 737 MAX software fix delivery
by salawat on Tuesday April 02, 2019 @07:01PM
(#19559399)
You are correct. The parts of the flight envelope where this is a problem are very high (approaching critical) AoA, or in a very tight, highly banked turn. These would not be maneuvers I'd imagine any pilot engaging in without engine power except maybe in the most dire circumstances.
MCAS has one function: give the MAX 8 flight characteristics that are similar enough to previous versions to not require significant training.
In fact, it's only when the engines are actually working that you'd need this... they're more powerful and further forward, meaning that at high thrust the aircraft will have more of a tendency to pitch up.