3 ms·
You realize how type ratings work yeah? An airline wants to fly a common model. They wanted a 737. They would buy a worse plane for twice as much (see: 737 max)
by selectodude 3y ago
You realize how type ratings work yeah? An airline wants to fly a common model. They wanted a 737. They would buy a worse plane for twice as much (see: 737 max) over a brand new clean sheet model that’s incompatible with their pilots.
- AnthonyMouse 3y agoType ratings work that way because there are so few types of planes, and because the incumbents like it that way. "Oh no, I guess it's impossible for anyone else to produce a new aircraft model because nobody's qualified to fly it, now we'll just have to rest on our laurels forever." If there were more competitors, they'd lobby to change how the regulations work so they didn't effectively destroy the market for new aircraft types.
- selectodude 3y agoThe FAA doesn't work like that and I can assure you, the airlines find it to be an enormous pain in the ass.
- AnthonyMouse 3y agoThe FAA is susceptible to Boeing, the huge conglomerate and defense contractor, not any random airline that could go out of business without anybody really caring. But the status quo is good for Boeing because they don't have to pay to design new stuff, or at least they're ambivalent to it. Change that and see what happens.