Good News, Ministry Of Transportation Lifts The Ban On Operating Boeing 737 Max Aircraft In Indonesia

Illustration. (Photo: Doc. Antara)

JAKARTA - The Ministry of Transportation, through the Directorate General of Civil Aviation, will issue the lifting of the ban on operating all Boeing 737-8 (737MAX) aircraft in Indonesia, after going through the process of investigation and repair of the aircraft system.

Director General of Civil Aviation Novie Riyanto, said that his party has coordinated with aviation authorities and operators from around the world, especially ASEAN. To date, several countries have allowed the operation of the 737 MAX aircraft again.

"Following this development, the Directorate General of Civil Aviation is also preparing to issue a letter to revoke the operating ban for 737 MAX aircraft," he said in a written statement, Tuesday, December 28.

Furthermore, Novie said that his party had carried out a technical evaluation of changes to the flight control design and evaluation of the pilot's workload for the Boeing 737 MAX aircraft, at the Boeing Flight Services Simulator, located in Singapore.

"The activity was attended by representatives of the United States Civil Aviation Authority (FAA) in Singapore, the Civil Aviation Authority of Singapore (CAAS), Boeing, and was also attended virtually by the Directorate General of Civil Aviation, FAA and Boeing Seattle. "Especially for changes to the flight control design and flight tests are also carried out, using the Boeing 737 MAX simulator," he said.

Meanwhile, the Directorate General of Civil Aviation is also coordinating with flight operators to prepare for the re-operation of the 737 MAX, both from a regulatory and technical perspective. Several things need to be prepared, including the issuance and execution of airworthiness orders in accordance with FAA provisions, preparation of training and implementation of simulators for pilots and 737 MAX technical guidelines that refer to Boeing.

"Several flight operators have stated that they have carried out airworthiness orders for the 737 MAX aircraft, in accordance with FAA provisions and will prepare training and simulators at the nearest facility, namely in Singapore," said Novie.

Novie also said that his party did not adopt the CB Stick Shaker removal procedure, which can eliminate interference to the pilot and potentially increase the pilot's workload and can reduce safety.

In addition, Novie said, his party will also issue an Airworthiness Order and issue a letter to revoke the ban on flying the B737MAX aircraft in Indonesian airspace, as well as issue a circular letter to flight operators using the B737MAX aircraft, to fulfill all aspects of the airworthiness, operation and safety of the B737MAX aircraft.

"We ask that the provisions that have been set can be fulfilled by flight operators and all aviation regulators to be committed to fulfilling these safety provisions, before the 737 MAX aircraft return to operation in Indonesia," he said.

"We would also like to thank the FAA and Boeing, who continue to support them on an ongoing basis, in preparations for lifting the ban on the B737MAX aircraft," he said.