FAA chief looks at streamlining aircraft certification process

The head of the FAA is working to streamline aircraft certification and strengthen oversight of Boeing in the aftermath of an in-flight emergency in January. FAA Administrator Mike Whitaker said in an interview the agency is also restructuring how it approaches its broader aviation oversight after a door panel missing four key bolts flew off an Alaska Airlines Boeing 737 MAX 9 in January. Whitaker said he is reviewing the aircraft certification process. "We're reviewing that to make sure we're getting the right stuff and we have the right tools to understand it, and maybe injecting ourselves earlier in the process to understand what's happening is going to be more effective," Whitaker said, adding the FAA is working to use "better technology" to help streamline the process. At one point, Boeing hoped to get the MAX 7 certified in 2022 but has faced a series of issues. Boeing in January withdrew its request for a safety exemption to address an engine de-icing issue. Whitaker told Reuters he thought Boeing would submit a proposed de-icing fix as soon as this month.<br/>