B737 Next Generation Undifferentiated
Flight Crew Air Transport Pilot (ATP)
Training / Qualification; Confusion
Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural Published Material / Policy
General None Reported / Taken
Aircraft; Manuals
The recently released 737 MAX8 Emergency Airworthiness Directive directs pilots how to deal with a known issue; but it does nothing to address the systems issues with the AOA system.MCAS (Maneuvering Characteristics Augmentation System) is implemented on the 737 MAX to enhance pitch characteristics with flaps UP and at elevated angles of attack. The MCAS function commands nose down stabilizer to enhance pitch characteristics during steep turns with elevated load factors and during flaps up flight at airspeeds approaching stall. MCAS is activated without pilot input and only operates in manual; flaps up flight. The system is designed to allow the flight crew to use column trim switch or stabilizer aisle stand cutout switches to override MCAS input. The function is commanded by the Flight Control computer using input data from sensors and other airplane systems.The MCAS function becomes active when the airplane Angle of Attack exceeds a threshold based on airspeed and altitude. Stabilizer incremental commands are limited to 2.5 degrees and are provided at a rate of 0.27 degrees per second. The magnitude of the stabilizer input is lower at high Mach number and greater at low Mach numbers. The function is reset once angle of attack falls below the Angle of Attack threshold or if manual stabilizer commands are provided by the flight crew. If the original elevated AOA condition persists; the MCAS function commands another incremental stabilizer nose down command according to current aircraft Mach number at actuation.This description is not currently in the 737 Flight Manual Part 2; nor the Boeing FCOM; though it will be added to them soon. This communication highlights that an entire system is not described in our Flight Manual. This system is now the subject of an AD.I think it is unconscionable that a manufacturer; the FAA; and the airlines would have pilots flying an airplane without adequately training; or even providing available resources and sufficient documentation to understand the highly complex systems that differentiate this aircraft from prior models. The fact that this airplane requires such jury rigging to fly is a red flag. Now we know the systems employed are error prone--even if the pilots aren't sure what those systems are; what redundancies are in place; and failure modes. I am left to wonder: what else don't I know? The Flight Manual is inadequate and almost criminally insufficient. All airlines that operate the MAX must insist that Boeing incorporate ALL systems in their manuals.
B737MAX Captain expressed concern that some systems such as the MCAS are not fully described in the aircraft Flight Manual.