Boeing has found a new problem with changes it is making to software on the 737 Max, but the company says the issue will not further delay the grounded plane’s return to flight. The head of the Federal Aviation Administration, Stephen Dickson, discussed the issue Thursday with reporters in London. Dickson indicated that the FAA could conduct a certification flight for the Max in the next few weeks. That flight will be a key milestone in Boeing’s bid to get FAA recertification of the plane this summer.
“Once we get past the certification flight, and the data that comes out of the certification flight, the steps from there on … are more predictable, in terms of they’re just fewer variables,” Dickson said. “But we’ve got to get to those points before we’re willing to predict anything.” Shares of Boeing were up about 4% in afternoon trading.
