Re:Delays in Boeing Max Return Began with Near-Crash in Simu...
by alistairSH on Friday November 08, 2019 @09:25AM
(#21482398)
due to the engine location change on the airframe, the plane naturally pitches up... making [MCAS] necessary.
Most jet airliners have a pitch up tendency. The problem with the MAX is two related issues...
First, FAA has a requirement that stick pressure must follow certain patterns - namely, the harder you pull/push the stick, the more the plane reacts. Due to engine placement, the MAX did not meet this requirement.
Second, Boeing needed to create the MAX with minimal (approaching zero) re-training of pilots.
MCAS was supposed to meet both needs - by having MCAS adjust the stabilizer, the stick behavior/feel came back within requirements. And because it was all automatic, the pilots didn't need retraining in the simulator. Correcting the stick feel without a system like MCAS would have required more substantial changes to the plane, which would have likely required simulator time, which was likely a deal-breaker for some airlines.
Most jet airliners have a pitch up tendency. The problem with the MAX is two related issues...
First, FAA has a requirement that stick pressure must follow certain patterns - namely, the harder you pull/push the stick, the more the plane reacts. Due to engine placement, the MAX did not meet this requirement.
Second, Boeing needed to create the MAX with minimal (approaching zero) re-training of pilots.
MCAS was supposed to meet both needs - by having MCAS adjust the stabilizer, the stick behavior/feel came back within requirements. And because it was all automatic, the pilots didn't need retraining in the simulator. Correcting the stick feel without a system like MCAS would have required more substantial changes to the plane, which would have likely required simulator time, which was likely a deal-breaker for some airlines.