The 737 MAX 10 is certified. Here's what changed before the FAA signed.

ProFlight Brief: the week in professional aviation for airplane and helicopter pilots, in about seven minutes. Every fact links to its source.

Top storyThe FAA certifies the 737 MAX 10

On Oct 20, the FAA issued an amended type certificate for the Boeing 737 MAX-10 and an updated Production Limitation Record, clearing the way for deliveries. FAA

What the FAA required first: the agency says the MAX-10 had to incorporate improvements tied to the Aircraft Certification, Safety, and Accountability Act and to NTSB recommendations, including flight-control updates with an enhanced angle-of-attack sensor. Boeing says that enhanced AoA system will become standard across the 737 MAX family, and that the 737-10 is the first commercial airplane certified to the full extent of the 2020 law. Boeing

By the numbers (Boeing): up to 230 passengers in max seating, nearly 1,000 test flights and more than 2,000 flight hours in the certification program, and 1,555 orders from more than 30 customers. Transport Canada and EASA approval should follow in "probably a couple months," and the first delivery is slated for WestJet early next year. Reuters via U.S. News

Why it matters for you: 1,555 aircraft on order means more 737 seats to staff over the next several years. If you're bidding toward a 737 operator, watch which of your target carriers holds MAX 10 orders, and when the AoA change reaches the jets you already fly.

This week in aviationOct 20–26, 2026

• 💊 Medical: the FAA launched MedGuide. It's a searchable FAA reference that tells pilots whether a medication is acceptable for flight duties and what wait time applies. Version 1.0 lists only allowed medications; most new medications carry a 48-hour initial wait. Conditional and unacceptable medications come in later releases. FAA MedGuide · General Aviation News
• 🩺 Medical: the diabetes rule is still pending. At an NBAA-BACE panel, the FAA's Caitlin Locke said the proposal letting AMEs directly certificate pilots on non-insulin diabetes meds could help about 3,000 applicants a year. No implementation date yet. The FAA also grew its medical officer staff from 52 to 78. AVweb
• 🔋 Advanced air mobility: first eVTOL market-survey certificate. On Oct 21 the FAA issued BETA Technologies a first-of-its-kind Special Airworthiness Market Survey Certificate for its ALIA A250, so operators can now fly it to evaluate it. That's not commercial service. FAA
• 🚔 Public safety: a police department bought an eVTOL. Florida Polytechnic University Police unveiled "Astro," a Jetson ONE, on Oct 20. The department says it's in the final stages of seeking FAA approval to use it in operations. Florida Poly
• 🗼 ATC: Fairbanks tower now closes overnight. Because of a staffing shortage, Fairbanks International's tower and approach control shut from 10 p.m. to 6 a.m. local "until further notice." Use 118.3 as CTAF; IFR is one-in, one-out through Anchorage Center on 120.9. AOPA
• 🚁 Rotor: proposed AD for AStar, TwinStar and EC130 servos. The FAA wants torque inspections on the upper ball-bearing end of all three main-rotor servo-controls on AS350B3, AS355-series, EC130B4 and EC130T2 helicopters after a loss of tightening torque. EASA traced it to paint on the lock-washer. Comments are due Dec 3. Federal Register
• ✈️ Labor: Porter pilots got a $2M strike-fund grant. ALPA granted the more than 900 Porter pilots $2 million on Oct 22 as they bargain a first contract. Conciliation ends Nov 22, and Dec 13 is the earliest legal strike or lockout date. An informational picket is set for Nov 18 at Billy Bishop. ALPA

Tech in the cockpitNBAA-BACE: guided visuals, new flight decks, AI copilots

• Garmin adds 12 Guided Visual Approaches, its first in Mexico. The Oct 22 update adds eight airports, including Albuquerque (KABQ), Hayden (KHDN) and Cabo San Lucas (MMSL), for 77 approaches at 56 airports. They give lateral and vertical guidance and can be flown coupled to the autopilot on WAAS, RF-capable GTN and GTN Xi navigators; they're also in Garmin Pilot with a subscription. Not for IMC. Garmin
• Dassault brings EASy IV to the Falcon 2000 series. Announced Oct 20 for the 2000LXS, with a retrofit for EASy-equipped Falcon 2000s, it adds 2D/3D airport moving maps, enhanced Jeppesen charts and an RNP-capable FMS. No certification timeline yet. AeroTime
• SyberJet unveiled an AI-assisted flight deck. SyberVision has six touchscreens, autothrottle, fly-by-wire and over-the-air updates, plus an AI pilot assistant called SyberPilot. It's built for the SJ36. Flight testing is planned for 2027 and SJ36 deliveries are targeted for 2032. AVweb
• Data Comm for under $1,000 a year. Garmin's CitationJet avionics retrofit offers FAA Data Comm at the government subscription rate of $500 a year, versus $5,000–$6,000 a year elsewhere. Aviation Week

Pilot's take: Guided visuals and AI assistants both cut workload on the approach, which is exactly when you need margin. Brief the procedure's limits (VMC only, RF-leg approval, what the automation won't catch) before you're on the descent.

Pay & hiringHEMS pay, regional FO rates, and the controller pipeline

HEMS pay, straight from the postings. We pulled open helicopter pilot postings from the two biggest air medical employers on Oct 26. Global Medical Response publishes pay on 145 of 150 postings: medians run $106,511–$117,162 at Air Evac Lifeteam and $115,387–$131,807 at REACH, topping out at $157,322–$173,069 (REACH SPIFR, Ukiah, CA). 113 GMR postings list a $15K sign-on plus $40K retention. Air Methods lists $82,900–$93,251 base on 63 of 100 postings. GMR careers · Air Methods careers · Full HEMS jobs guide

Regional FO pay, now five airlines. Published year-one first officer hourly rates (checked Oct 25): Endeavor $106.66/hr, PSA $102.00, Envoy $99.00, SkyWest $92.73, Horizon $92.72. Regional FO pay guide, with every source

The controller pipeline. The FAA hired a record 2,235 controller trainees in FY2026, and its workforce plan calls for at least 2,300 in FY27 and 2,400 in FY28. Fairbanks shows why it matters: towers still close when staffing runs short. FAA

Airline hiring: FAPA hasn't posted September numbers yet; last issue's 4,511 major-airline hires through August is still the latest. FAPA

Safety lessonAn AStar, a heart condition, and two OTC sleep aids

The case: On Dec 16, 2024, a U.S. Customs and Border Protection AS350 B3 crashed near Potrero, California. After about 90 minutes of stable flight, it entered two S-turns while descending from 4,200 to 3,100 ft, then descended at more than 12,000 ft/min. The NTSB's final report (published Sept 23, 2026) gives the probable cause as unexplained pilot incapacitation and found no mechanical malfunction. The 53-year-old pilot had severe coronary artery disease. Toxicology found two sedating antihistamines, diphenhydramine and doxylamine, and investigators also considered fatigue after a recent respiratory illness. The FAA advises not flying within 60 hours of either drug; investigators couldn't tell when they were taken. AirMed&Rescue summary of the NTSB final report

Brief this, whether you fly airplanes or helicopters:

1. "Over the counter" doesn't mean "fit to fly." Diphenhydramine and doxylamine, common in OTC allergy and sleep aids, carry a 60-hour no-fly advisory. Check before you take anything, and use the new FAA MedGuide as a starting point.
2. Coming back from being sick is its own risk. Run IMSAFE honestly on the first shift back, not just on the day you feel worst.
3. Single-pilot means no one catches you. Know your heart-health numbers, keep your medical honest, and talk to your AME about anything new.
4. Know your automation's limits. A stability-augmentation system or autopilot won't hold an aircraft whose pilot has stopped flying it.

Quick hitsWorth knowing

• Part 107 test change: starting Oct 26, the remote pilot knowledge test adds image-based sectional chart questions. DroneLife
• Free hypoxia training: the FAA ran free hypoxia awareness sessions at Fort Meade (KFME) Oct 21–24. Watch for future sessions near you. General Aviation News
• Oxygen rule comments due Nov 23: the FAA's proposed changes to pilot oxygen requirements are open for comment. FAA rulemaking
• Delta contract talks: the Delta MEC reports three contract sections now complete. Delta MEC podcast, Oct 23
• Need a job lead in Texas? Our Texas pilot jobs hub pulls together the Texas employers and flight schools in our directory.

That's the brief. Fly safe, and get home to the people waiting for you.
Nicholas

Spotted an error? Reply and we'll correct it in the next issue. ProFlight Brief is informational, not flight instruction or medical advice. Follow your AFM/RFM, your operator's procedures, and your AME.