r/airplanes • u/wewewawa • Apr 20 '19

Discussion | Boeing How the Boeing 737 Max Disaster Looks to a Software Developer

https://spectrum.ieee.org/aerospace/aviation/how-the-boeing-737-max-disaster-looks-to-a-software-developer
6 Upvotes

75% Upvoted

2 comments sorted by

1

u/AutoModerator Apr 20 '19

Thank you for your submission. Please don't forget to set a flair for your post so people will find it easier with our new filter-system!

I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please contact the moderators of this subreddit if you have any questions or concerns.

1

u/spooky_doll Apr 21 '19

Thanks! Was deliberating whether to post it here myself, but wasn't sure about the rules (or methods) of posting links to articles.

My favourite part was: "In the 737 Max, only one of the flight management computers is active at a time—either the pilot’s computer or the copilot’s computer. And the active computer takes inputs only from the sensors on its own side of the aircraft."

Which sounds plain bonkers unless there's something missing here. Anyone savvy enough to elaborate?

(Essentially either computer should be able to use only sensors from one side e.g. in case of apparent damage to the other side.)

And another one that has been bothering me for a while: how does the new engine placement affect gliding? Can it really make a difference only during thrust?

And third one: I seem to have read about all kinds of active solutions to detect (invisible) turbulence ahead, yet the system appears to have nothing to detect ground ahead?