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by salawat 1514 days ago
That was not my understanding, but the source I heard about the reasoning from was the 60 minutes expose.

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=QytfYyHmxtc

Between 35-36m-ish. 35:30 I think.

Boeing was claimed to have "known the FAA would not certify a dual sensor system without Level D simulator training".

This was from an insider at the time, and admittedly, I've not heard of an identity being put to them, but that signal was claimed to have been there.

There is also corroborating evidence that the Chief Technical Pilot actively dissuaded customers who asked for simulator time anyway, characterizing it as unnecessary. I don't have those at my fingertips right now, and unfortunately, my memory is failing me as to whether or not an "oh shit" moment was had at some point as to whether the Chief Technical Pilot had mischaracterized the system to regulators.

I just remember I thought it was awful convenient at the yime that this Chief Technical Pilot had all the hallmarks of a scapegoat for management to start piling blame on, and being glad he got independent counsel instead of relying on Boeing's General Counsel.

1 comments

Thanks for that bit of information, I didn't know that. It sounds like it could be true. But being uncorroborated, and considering all the false information swirling around the issue, I'd want some confirmation.

I watch every episode of "Aviation Disasters". On more than one, the pilots would get some warning light and would ask each other what it meant. That implies that simulator training is not required for every warning light.

I figure we'll find out more if/when a criminal case is finally brought and prosecuted, until then, I consider anecdotally credible. Here's those texts and articles btw...

https://www.reuters.com/article/uk-ethiopia-airplane-forkner...

https://www.seattletimes.com/business/boeing-aerospace/why-b...

Texts: https://www.documentcloud.org/documents/6497959-Boeing-Text-...

It seems they never leveraged anything more from this supposed whistleblower, so until more is seen, it's kinda moot. Still thought Forkner was a fall guy for bad management though.