FAA certifies Boeing 737 MAX 10, unlocking first deliveries

The US Federal Aviation Administration has granted type certification to the Boeing 737 MAX 10, the largest member of the 737 MAX family, clearing the way for first deliveries “in the coming months”, CAPA reported. The approval was announced on 20 October by US Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy during a visit to Boeing’s new 737 MAX production line in Everett, Washington, completing certification of all four MAX variants (Simple Flying).

The FAA issued an amended type certificate confirming the aircraft complies with all applicable design and safety requirements, alongside an updated Production Limitation Record authorising production (Flightradar24). The MAX 10 is the first commercial aircraft certified to the full extent of the 2020 Aircraft Certification, Safety and Accountability Act, after the FAA required flight-control updates including an enhanced angle-of-attack sensor addressing ACSAA requirements and NTSB recommendations.

Certification followed nearly 1,000 test flights totalling more than 2,060 flight hours and roughly 1,000 hours of ground testing (Airways Magazine). Boeing holds 1,555 orders for the type from more than 30 customers, representing over 30 per cent of the 737 MAX order book, with United, Delta, Ryanair, Alaska and American Airlines among the buyers (Reuters).

The MAX 8 and MAX 9 were certified in 2017 and 2018 respectively, with the smaller MAX 7 following in August this year (Flightradar24). Boeing expects to begin MAX 10 deliveries in the coming months (Airliner World).