FAA Allows Boeing to Resume Issuing Certificates for New Airplanes

The FAA issued a very important statement on Friday. Allowing Boeing to resume issuing certificates for new airplanes is huge news for Boeing.  As the statement’s subtext states: Decision follows eight months of data demonstrating consistent production quality.

Boeing’s once again has authority to issue airworthiness certificates for all new 737 MAX and 787 aircraft after an eight-month safety and production quality review, but will maintain intensive oversight and scrutiny of the company’s safety culture and manufacturing system. Ongoing oversight includes continued inspections, audits, and monitoring of critical assembly activities, production quality trends, and compliance with type design and engineering requirements, as well as close attention to Boeing’s Safety Management System (SMS) and safety culture. Essentially, the FAA’s move shifts airworthiness sign-off back into Boeing’s ODA framework while maintaining a higher-touch surveillance posture than pre-MAX crisis norms.