Boeing is reportedly hiring around 160 pilots to help assist the relaunch of the 737 max and build its trust with its customers.

The newly hired Boeing pilots would work as instructors or be in the cockpit as observers at various airlines for a period of 35 days. The 737 planes were grounded worldwide in March 2019 following the two deadly crashes that sadly killed 346 people. Before the 737 max was cleared to fly again, Boeing updated the flight control software, revised crew procedures and also rerouted internal wiring. Once it was cleared to fly again Steve Dickson the head of the Federal Aviation Administration said he was: “100% confident” in the safety of the plane. In January 2021 the European Union Aviation Safety Agency is expected to clear the plane for a full return to service.

The pilots that will be hired will be paid an equivalent annual salary that could reach around $200,000 and could cost the company around $32 million. The pilots that will join the Boeing programme must have 1,000 hours of instructor experience, no previous incidents or violations and also be licensed on the 737 or other Boeing jets.

Brazil’s GOL recently became the first airline to resume commercial flights with the model. On the 9th December 2020 Brazil’s GOL Airlines completed the very first passenger flight with its Boeing 737 max 8 aircraft. The Brazilian National Civil Aviation Agency (ANAC) reauthorized the operation of grounded Aircraft in Brazilian airspace on November 25th, 2020.

Boeing has said: “We continue to work closely with global regulators and customers to safely return the 737-9 to service worldwide.” The move is part of a broader programme to support customers on all Boeing commercial models. The company wants to bring back the trust in the recently ungrounded 737 max, the strategy will also include 24/7 surveillance of 737 max flights globally and talking points for flight attendants to reassure passengers. The surveillance will be there to ensure real-time monitoring and rapid problem resolutions. Boeing also has prepared documents to be used by the airlines and its flight attendants to discuss aircraft safety with the passengers.

Boeing has recently been “Expanding its use of contract pilots” employed by the CCL, the Society of Professional Engineering Employees in Aerospace (SPEEA), which represents Boeing pilots, said in September. At the time, SPEEA disclosed that Boeing had laid off seven “Flight training airplane pilots”, whose jobs involved helping airlines operate aircraft that are new to their fleets. SPEEA said: “CCL contract pilots will do nearly all simulator and in-flight training involved in the 737 max return to service.”