Transport Canada has started test flights of the Boeing 737 MAX, completing the first in a series on August 27, 2020. The Canadian regulator is the first foreign authority to submit its independent review of the changes to the aircraft proposed by Boeing.
Transport Canada is now conducting its own safety upgrade checks of MAX nearly two months after flight evaluations were previously completed by the United States Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). The Canadian authority performed the test flight with the same aircraft as the FAA on June 1, 2020. The flight took off from Moses Lake (MWH) around 8:45 a.m. local time, based on Flight Aware data.
As recorded by FlightRadar24.com, during the first six minutes of the performance, the aircraft climbed up to 15,300 ft while a rate of the climb reached 2,500 ft per minute. Flight history showed that soon after departure, the jet immediately turned left then made a sudden right turn. On the whole, the aircraft made a series of more or less sharp turns within the first 12 minutes of flight. However, the descent was performed at a softer angle.
After approaching the runway, the aircraft performed go-around and completed landing in Seattle (BFI), based on the playback of the flight (numbered as BOE701). The first test flight of the MAX lasted 40 minutes.
Previously, Bloomberg reported that Transport Canada laid its testing plan under which the Boeing 737 MAX was expected to fly the officials of authority from Vancouver to Seattle. Flight testing was supposed to take place in the United States airspace and then the aircraft had to return back to Vancouver. Due to the ongoing public health situation related to COVID-19, the Canadian regulator changed its testing plan.
Earlier on July 26, 2020, Robert Isom, the President of American Airlines (A1G) (AAL), stated that the FAA is expected to recertify the Boeing 737 MAX in October and return the jet to service in December 2020, reported View from the Wing. Supposedly, the U.S will be the first country to allow the Boeing 737 MAX return to the sky.