NEW DELHI: Only highly experienced pilots will operate the Boeing 737 MAX and the aircraft will not be released for commercial flying when certain systems are inoperative, something that is routinely allowed for aircraft under minimum equipment list where the plane can fly and the snag be rectified within a given time. Also, during long transit stays, the B737 MAX will be thoroughly checked to ensure that systems like autopilot and stall management are working perfectly.
These are among the interim safety measures issued by the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) on Monday for Indian carriers operating the B737 MAX. “The minimum experience level of crew operating B737 Max aircraft to fly as pilot-in-command is 1000 hours and co-pilot is 500 hours on Boeing 737 NG aircraft type,” the official said. The DGCA has sent these measures to Boeing and US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) for seeking any additional measures and advise.
