FAA Extends program allowing Boeing To Perform Agency-Delegated Tasks

HELLFIRE

https://simpleflying.com/faa-extends-authorization-program-boeing-agency-tasks/

This Thursday, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) announced that it would renew the program that allows Boeingto perform inspections and repairs instead of FAAstaff, removing one element of oversight. Boeing’s Organization Designation Authorization (ODA) will become effective on June 1st, 2025. According to the May 29th statement, the FAA stated that it saw improvement in key criteria and most areas of performance in the last three years’ worth of rigorous reviews. …

Contrariwise, the article notes as recently as March, the Department of Transportation (DOT) had yet to express confidence in Boeing’s renewed focus on safety and quality. So as not to veer into unrelated topics, I’ll leave it at that and let people take what they may from this.

Regards

real_aurgathor

It’s been working perfectly for decades, so it should just continue to work. 😉

Somewhat-Reticent

HELLFIRE rigorous reviews

By whom?

GrumpyCanadian

real_aurgathor Tell them to look Admiral Hopper in the eye and tell her they’re going to continue doing that, because that’s how they’ve always done it. I dare them.

HELLFIRE

GrumpyCanadian Tell them to look Admiral Hopper in the eye

I don’t know many stories of Adm Grace Hopper offhand… but if she’s anything like Admiral Nechayev

though I CAN imagine an Admiral Rickover temper tantrum over THIS gongshow…

Regards

HELLFIRE

Somewhat-Reticent By whom?

FWIW, I dug these up from the FAA

https://www.faa.gov/newsroom/faa-continues-hold-boeing-accountable-implementing-safety-and-production-quality-fixes – FAA Continues to Hold Boeing Accountable for Implementing Safety and Production Quality Fixes (Thursday, May 30, 2024)

To ensure long-term success, the FAA will actively monitor review Boeing’s progress in a variety of ways, including:
A team of FAA subject matter experts will continually review Boeing’s progress and the effectiveness of the changes in addressing the audit findings and expert panel recommendations 
Senior FAA leaders will meet with Boeing weekly to review their performance metrics, progress, and any challenges they’re facing in implementing the changes 
They also will conduct monthly reviews to gauge Boeing’s progress
The FAA will continue its enhanced oversight of Boeing and its suppliers. This includes:
More safety inspectors in the Boeing and Spirit AeroSystems facilities 
More conversations with company employees to gauge the effectiveness of changes 
Additional inspections at critical points of the production process and auditing of the production process 
Monitoring quality system metrics to identify any areas of concern[/quote]
https://www.oig.dot.gov/sites/default/files/library-items/FAA%20Oversight%20of%20Boeing%20737%20and%20787%20Production_Final%20Report-10-09-24_0.pdf – FAA’s Oversight Processes for Identifying and Resolving
Boeing Production Issues Are Not Effective (October 9, 2024)

However, the Agency has yet to move from a reactive approach focused on
addressing individual manufacturing issues to a more proactive, data-driven
model to identify and address risk within Boeing’s manufacturing processes at all
levels, nor has it demonstrated an ability to resolve allegations of undue pressure
on Boeing employees acting on FAA’s behalf.

https://www.faa.gov/newsroom/updates-boeing-737-9-max-aircraft – Updates on Boeing 737-9 MAX Aircraft (Thursday, December 5, 2024)

You get no argument from me about not getting a warm fuzzy from the FAA, especially in light of the Oct 9th link.

Regards

HELLFIRE

https://www.reuters.com/business/aerospace-defense/us-faa-not-currently-considering-lifting-boeing-737-max-production-cap-official-2025-06-04/ – US FAA not currently considering lifting Boeing 737 MAX production cap

The acting head of the Federal Aviation Administration said he is not currently considering lifting a production cap of 38 planes per month on Boeing’s 737 MAX imposed after a January 2024 mid-air emergency involving a new Alaska Airlines Boeing plane missing four key bolts. … Boeing did not immediately comment. …

Regards