Boeing 737MAX-10 aircraft. Photo: Boeing In a dramatic announcement, the United States Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) said the Boeing 737 MAX 10 has finally received certification. The approval, madedel public on October 20, marks a major step for the American aircraft manufacturer after years of testing and certification, and it allows the aircraft to be manufactured and delivered to airlines in the United States and worldwide.
As part of the decision, the FAA issued an Amended Type Certificate, confirming that the aircraft's design meets applicable design and safety requirements. In addition, the FAA updated the Production Limitation Record, which approves the aircraft's production.
A key part of the process was incorporating safety improvements required by the Aircraft Certification, Safety, and Accountability Act and recommendations from the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB).
Required changes included updates to the flight control system, including an improved pitch angle sensor that helps the aircraft's systems estimate the nose angle relative to the airflow.
US Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy said the approval came after extensive safety testing, which included thousands of hours of test flights. He said it was a milestone for the US aviation and manufacturing industry. FAA Administrator Brian Bedford stressed that the agency made the decision after a comprehensive review of the aircraft's design and safety requirements, adding that it will continue to monitor Boeing even as production begins.
The 737MAX-10 is the longest version of the MAX family of aircraft, designed to offer airlines greater passenger capacity. Boeing also touts the family as having lower fuel consumption than previous-generation aircraft.
The new, narrow-body, fuel-efficient aircraft is set to gradually replace the aging 737s of airlines, many of which are continuing and renewing contracts with the American aircraft manufacturer. Here are some facts about the new aircraft:
> Number of engines: 2
> Engine model: CFM International LEAP-1B
> Number of seats in two-class configuration: 185-210
> Maximum capacity: 230 passengers
> Maximum flight range: 5,740 km
> Aircraft length: 43.8 meters
> Wingspan: 35.9 meters
> Height: 12.3 meters
> Maximum take-off weight: 89,760 kg
Comparison of Boeing 737MAX aircraft. Graphics: Boeing