By David Shepardson

WASHINGTON, (Reuters) – A U.S. House Committee will host a hearing with the Federal Aviation Administration’s (FAA), Thursday. The hearing will focus on the FAA’s efforts to improve airplane certification after two fatal crashes involving Boeing (NYSE:) 737 MAX aircraft.

The FAA Administrator Steve Dickson is expected to testify before a House Transportation and Infrastructure Subcommittee Hearing. This hearing comes nearly three years since a Lion Air 610 737 MAX crash in Indonesia.

Dec. saw Congress approve legislation to increase FAA supervision of aircraft manufacturer, including disclosure of safety information and new whistleblower protections.

Peter DeFazio, chairman of the House Transportation Committee, stated Monday that while “the FAA continues making progress in implementing this law”, more work is needed, especially publishing a rule which requires aerospace companies to implement safety management systems.

It is important that people who are responsible for aircraft certification work on behalf of FAA don’t feel under pressure.

The FAA released two memos Friday on their reform efforts. One directs FAA teams for Boeing, Pratt & Whitney, a unit of Raytheon (NYSE:), and General Electric (NYSE:) To assign FAA aviation safety staff with the appropriate expertise within 60 Days to act as advisors for company oversight offices.

Other requirements include that FAA employees must approve or deny all proposed unit member additions to their oversight offices.

A survey by the FAA released August 2020 revealed that some safety workers were subject to “strong” industry pressures. This raised concerns about whether or not air safety is always at its top priority.

The law requires an independent review of Boeing’s safety culture. This review is currently pending.

Acting FAA Associate Administrator for Safety Chris Rocheleau said a new agency office overseeing oversight efforts that opened this year “is a key part of the FAA’s ability to provide comprehensive oversight of manufacturers and their products”. The FAA can also use it to quickly address any areas of concern, and make sure safety is not neglected in pursuit of business objectives.

DeFazio’s Panel in 2020 reported that MAX’s crashes were “the horrifying culmination of an array of flawed technical assumptions by Boeing Engineers, a lack transparency from Boeing’s management, as well as grossly inadequate supervision by the FAA.”