^^^^ Long term storage procedures include draining and replacing fluids with preservative compounds. Plus all the sealing of the engines and other systems. You wonder when Boeing and the airlines that had MAX's in service realized that the grounding was going to be for a long time and accomplished this on their aircraft. Then, as you note, all this has to be undone to put back into service plus a lot of other checks.
All of the delivered ones are out of annual at this point, so whatever calendar items have piled up will have to be done, along with some phase checks, probably.
QUOTE: Long term storage procedures include draining and replacing fluids with preservative compounds. Plus all the sealing of the engines and other systems. You wonder when Boeing and the airlines that had MAX's in service realized that the grounding was going to be for a long time and accomplished this on their aircraft. Then, as you note, all this has to be undone to put back into service plus a lot of other checks. A couple of points: One can get into trouble if the storage was done to a short term plan but, as has happened with the Max, it needed to became the long term plan without making the change. Hopefully no one made that mistake. There is a way to make a claim of "in maintenance" which will stop the clock on many of the calendar items. One will still change all the filters and check for leaking seals as part of the Return to Service checks. Depending upon how anyone decided to do their storage program, the engines and APU could be picked or they could have done runs on a scheduled basis. In the end, each of these Max will have to undergo their proscribed Return to Service work package plus do all the mandated changes for the software change and the rerouting of some wiring. IF an airline has a Max 8 already delivered and is currently operating a -800, it would make sense to replace the -800 in the fleet since it will cost less to operate the newer aircraft.
Yes on AA. I talked to several crews about the aircraft after the Lion crash and judging by their responses was not affraid. They all knew how to hand fly the aircraft
Did you see that Alaska is replacing a bunch of their A320s with MAXs? I'm sure they got a screaming deal.
The way Boeing had Max's stacked together on ramps around Boeing Field and Renton I doubt they could do any engine runs.
No, I had not seen that. Wondering if the A320 go back to the Virgin America fleet and they had planned to dispose of them anyway. And, yes, taking Max positions now probably came with some fantastic incentives. Even airlines that haven't cancelled their orders are rescheduling so there may be what are effectively "white tail" opportunities.
Any new info on this 737 Max emergency landing in Tucson this week? https://www.reuters.com/article/us-boeing-737max-air-canada-idUSKBN28Z0VS Probably from it sitting for so long unused?
I’ve ferried three this month to go back into service. In my opinion, it’s a great flying plane. No issues other than it taxis really fast with those Leap engines. cheers Dave
Image Unavailable, Please Login Hundreds were stored at Moses Lake, Wa- took this photo last Christmas- row after row like this..it was heartbreaking to see.
Agreed, Bob. I have a few thousand hours in 75/76s and my first impression with the Max was that it flew like a cross between those two and handles more like Heavy. Takes some getting used to with switchology between the -800, but that’s minimal. cheers Dave
Harking back to the OP's opening line........."It's just a matter of time now...." Boeing's 737 Max has a new problem that will ground some of the jets again.... https://www.cnn.com/2021/04/09/business/boeing-737-max-electrical-problem/index.html
"Boeing has recommended to 16 customers that they address a potential electrical issue in a specific group of 737 Max airplanes prior to further operations," the company said. Airlines need to verify that one of the components of the plane's electrical system is sufficiently grounded, Boeing stated. American said the issue does not affect the 24 737 Max jets it had in its fleet before the original grounding — it involves only the 17 jets that were built during or after the grounding and delivered to the airline since November. >>> Surprised something like this is on 'new' builds. .
