TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Transportation Ministry’s aircraft airworthiness and operations directorate (DKPPU) predicts that Boeing Co. will introduce a modified software for its Boeing 737 MAX lineup later in April.

This information was announced by DKPPU Director Avirianto after a teleconference with Boeing Co. and the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA).

“They plan to release the modified software in April. We’ll adhere to that. After Boeing publishes it, they will reach [air carriers],” said Avirianto when Tempo reached him on Wednesday, March 20.

Indonesian air carriers that operate the Boeing 737 MAX series are Lion Air and state-run carrier Garuda Indonesia with the former actively running 10 aircraft while Garuda operated one prior to the government mandatory grounding.

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The Boeing MAX 8 was recently grounded from taking flight after the FAA issued a continuous airworthiness notification to the international community (CANIC) following the tragic crash of a 737 Ethiopian Airlines on March 10. This incident is only 5 months after Lion Air Flight JT 610 crashed into the ocean.

According to Avirianto, Boeing has formed new software and fresh pilot training materials for the allegedly troubled MAX 8 that will further adjust pilots to the MCAS system (Maneuvering Characteristics Augmentation System).

“The MCAS might be updated too. We’ll just have to monitor it and follow what FAA instructs,” he said.

The FAA will also re-test Boeing`s software before issuing a flight recommendation worldwide for the Boeing 737 MAX 8.

ANTARA