If the chart presented in the article below [1] is fairly accurate and not merely representational, I think that the 737 MAX, without MCAS, does not actually be

If the chart presented in the article below [1] is fairly accurate and not merely representational, I think that the 737 MAX, without MCAS, does not actually become statically unstable in pitch at least until after the stall, but the response was still unacceptable, and the reason MCAS was needed for certification. There is a complication here in that the stick forces are generated by an elevator Feel and Centering Unit, which is fed by a dedicated pitot tube and the stabilizer position. Pitch instability after the stall was part of the rear-engined jet deep stall problem, and the reason for stick pushers [2]. [1] https://leehamnews.com/2019/02/15/bjorns-corner-pitch-stability-part-10-wrap-up/ https://leehamnews.com/2019/02/15/bjorns-corner-pitch-stabil... [2] https://leehamnews.com/2018/12/07/bjorns-corner-pitch-stability-part-3/ https://leehamnews.com/2018/12/07/bjorns-corner-pitch-stabil... Figure 3.