GACA AC-000-07 - 737 MAX Return to Service

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ADVISORY CIRCULAR

SUBJECT DATE AC NUMBER VERSION

737 MAX Return to Service 28 February 2021 000-07 1.0

Note: This Advisory Circular is published to provide regulatory information that further elaborates on

provisions or concepts prescribed in the GACAR.

CHAPTER 1 - INTRODUCTION

1.1 Purpose

The purpose of this advisory circular is to provide guidance and information of the requ irements to

be taken by all owners and operators of Boeing 737 -8 and 737 -9 (737 MAX) airplanes operating in the

National Air Space of Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA) .

1.2 Applicability

This advisory circular is applicable to all Boeing 737 -8 and 737 -9 (737 MAX) airplanes operating in

the National Air Space of Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

1.3 Cancellation.

This is the first official version of this advisory circular and it cancels no other advisory circular

on the subject matter.

1.4 Related Regulatory Provisions

GACAR §39.5 Applicable Airworthiness Directives

GACAR §39.9 GACA Issuance of Airworthiness Directives

GACAR §175.087 Aeronautical I nformation C ircular (AIC)

1.5 Related Reading Material

(a) GACA AIC Series A 05/21 dated 28 February 2021 (ISSN 1658/3507 LDN 2135/1428)

(b) GACA NOTAM A0364/21 dated 28 February 2021

(c) FAA SAFO 20015 dated 29 January 2021

(d) FAA SAFO 20014 dated 18 November 2020

(e) FAA CAN -2020 -24 dated 18 November 2020

(f) FAA AD 2020 -24-02 dated 18 November 2020

(g) Summary of the FAA’s Review of the Boeing 737 MAX dated 18 Nove mber 2020

1.6 Definitions of Terms Us ed in this Advisory Circular

Affected parties should refer to Subpart A of GACAR Part 1 for a full listing of defined terms

used in the GACAR. This Advisory Circular does not introduce any new terminologies.

1.7 Approval:

This Advisory Circular has been approved for publication by the Assistant President, Aviation

Standards Sector of the General Authority of Civil Aviation.

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CHAPTER 2 - 737 MAX RETURN TO SERVICE

2.1 Background

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Continued Airworthiness Notification to the International

Community (CANIC) No. CA -2020 -24, ref. (a) listed above, addresses the FAA ongoing continued

operational safety activities related to returning Boeing Model 737 -8 and 737 -9 (737 MAX) airplanes

to service.

This CANIC states that “following two accidents involving the 737 MAX (Lion Air Flight 610 and

Ethio pian Airlines Flight 302), the FAA on March 13, 2019 issued an Emergency Order of Prohibition

regarding the operation of 737 MAX airplanes. On November 18, 2020, the FAA issued a final

rule/airworthiness directive (AD) that mandates the following actions f or U.S. -registered 737 MAX

airplanes: install new flight control computer software and new 737 MAX display system software;

incorporate certain Airplane Flight Manual f lightcrew operating procedures; modify horizontal

stabilizer trim wire routing installat ions; conduct an angle of attack sensor system test; and conduct an

operational readiness flight. In addition, the AD requires that operators with an existing FAA -approved

minimum equipment list incorporate more restrictive provisions in order to be able t o dispatch the

airplane with certain inoperative equipment. Concurrent with issuance of the final rule/AD, the FAA

rescinded the Emergency Order of Prohibition. Additionally, the FAA released the following

documents: Summary of the FAA’s Review of the Boei ng 737 MAX; Boeing 737 Flight Standardization

Board Report, revision 17 (identifying special pilot training for the 737 MAX); FAA Safety Alert for

Operators (SAFO) identifying changes to pilot training; and FAA SAFO identifying changes to the

maintenance p rogram.”

The FAA Airworthiness Directive (AD) No. 2020 -24-02, ref. (f) listed above, was issued to The Boeing

Company Model 737 -8 and 737 -9 airplanes , certificated in any category, as identified in Boeing Special

Attention Service Bulletin 737 -31-1860, Revision 1, dated July 2, 2020. This AD addresses the unsafe

condition “the potential for a single erroneously high angle of attack (AOA) sensor input r eceived by

the flight control system to result in repeated airplane nose -down trim of the horizontal stabilizer, which,

in combination with multiple flight deck effects, could affect the flightcrew's ability to accomplish

continued safe flight and landing” .

The FAA publishes the 737 MAX training requirements in Flight Standardization Board Report (FSBR),

ref. Error! Reference source not found. listed above.

However, as indicated i n FAA Updates on Boeing 737 MAX website, ref. Error! Reference source

not found. listed above, “these actions do not allow the 737 MAX to return immediately to the skies.

The FAA must approve 737 MAX pilot training program revisions for each U.S. airline operating the

MAX and will retain its authority to issue airworthiness certificates and export certificates of

airworthiness for all new 737 MAX aircraft manufactured since the FAA issued the grounding order.

Furthermore, airlines that have parked their MAX aircraft must take required maintenance steps to

prepare them to fly again”.

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2.2 GACA Decision s

(a) Pursuant to GACAR § 39.9, there is no need to issue a GACA Airworthiness Directive (AD) since

the FAA, as State of Design Agency , has issued AD 2020 -24-02.

(b) All owners and operators of Boeing 737 -8 and 737 -9 (737 MAX) airplanes operating from, in to or

over KSA Nationa l Airs pace must ensure the compliance is demonstrated for the following it ems:

(1) The accomplishment of all applicable required actions by FAA Airworthiness Directive (AD )

no. 2020 -24-02, or AD issued by foreign civil aviation authority of the state of registry in which

they conform the newly amended type design or an alternative achieves at least an equivalent

level of safety of this FAA AD requirements .

(2) 737 MAX pilot training requirements in accordance with FAA SAFO no. 20014 dated 18

November 2020 or later approved revision .

(3) Maintenance requirements in accordance with FAA SAFO n o. 20015 dated 29 January 2021 or

later approved revision .

(4) For all foreign operators or foreign registered aircraft, before granted permission to use KSA

National Airspace must submit a compliance statement from their respective National Aviation

Authority (NAA) assuring their Boeing 737 MAX airplanes demonstrate compliance with item

(1), (2), and (3) listed in para. (b) above , in addition to the NAA Return to Service Requirements.

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CHAPTER 3 - FOR FURTHER INFORMATION

3.1 Responsible Department(s)

The Legislation Department of the GACA Aviation Standards Sector is the department responsible for

publishing and maintaining this advisory circular.

3.2 Contact Details

In person:

General Authority of Civil Aviation (GACA)

Aviation Standards Sector

Legislation Department

King Abdulaziz Center for National Dialogue

4292 Northern Ring Rd - Al Nafel Dist.

Riyadh 13312 - 6804

Kingdom of Saudi Arabia

By mail:

General Authority of Civil Aviation (GACA)

Aviation Standards Sector

Legislation Department

P.O. Box 47360 Riyadh Area Cod e 11552

Kingdom of Saudi Arabia

By email:

Aviation Standards Legislation Department

AS-legislations@gaca.gov.sa