B737 MAX 8
Flight Crew Instrument; Flight Crew Multiengine; Flight Crew Air Transport Pilot (ATP)
Communication Breakdown; Time Pressure; Situational Awareness
Aircraft Equipment Problem Less Severe; Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural FAR; Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural Published Material / Policy; Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural Weight And Balance; Ground Event / Encounter Other / Unknown
Aircraft Equipment Problem Dissipated; Flight Crew Overcame Equipment Problem
Human Factors; Aircraft; Procedure
During my walk around of a MAX 8 aircraft; I noticed that the nose strut was almost fully extended. By the time that I finished my walkaround the aircraft had settled to a much more normal/level state. I have noticed this on several MAX aircraft; as I did on the -800s before we started using the tail stands. This report is just to highlight a concern that I have with the procedure of not using tail stands on the MAX aircraft. I know that with the larger and heavier engines mounted more forward; we have been told that the MAX will not tip onto its tail during loading and unloading at the gate. It has been my experience though that I have seen several of these aircraft with a severely nose high/ tail low stance during loading and unloading. I am concerned that with the perfect conditions we might have a MAX end up on its tail.
First Officer reported observing the nose strut fully extended during loading of a B737-MAX 8 aircraft.