Earlier quoted context omitted.
Boeing made the 737 NG until 2019. It also allegedly had issues with the contractor Ducommun making the airframe, including "hammering alignment holes into place". But it wasn't nearly as problematic of a plane. The Max is a desperate attempt to compete with the A320 neo ("new engine option"). It is the aviation efficiency gain equivalent of a die shrink, except these engines get bigger, and while Airbus had space to…
> pilots not having to do an entirely new type certificate And consequently, their intention seems to be to bend the rules about the validity of the existing certifications to the max (no pun intended). At what point can an agency rule that Boeing no longer follows the spirit of the pilot certification rules?
Oh, and the indicator for your AOA sensors disagreeing? Used to be a physical part of the cockpit, and was moved to an optional addon in the Max. But Boeing then forgot to put the indicator in the glass cockpit. Presumably because their development aircraft all had the option.
None of the accident airlines had the option.