EMBRAER 175 Takes to the Air
Second Member of Embraer New Family of Commercial Jets Makes Flight Debut
SAO JOSE DOS CAMPOS, Brazil, June 16 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Embraer
(NYSE: ERJ) announced today the maiden flight of the EMBRAER 175, the second
member of a family of four new-generation commercial jets specifically
designed for markets optimized with 70- to 110-seat equipment. The complete
aircraft family is composed of the EMBRAER 170, EMBRAER 175, EMBRAER 190 and
EMBRAER 195.
The aircraft, serial number 0014, took off this Saturday from the
company's Sao Jose dos Campos facility at 11:50 AM, accompanied by its sibling
EMBRAER 170 S/N 007, for a 120 minute flight in which it performed a range of
systems validation tests.
"We are very pleased to see another member of the EMBRAER 170/190 family
taking to the skies for the first time," said Embraer's President and CEO
Mauricio Botelho. "It is another important milestone in our main objective to
develop and produce a whole new generation of jetliners for the 70- to 110-
seat segment, offering an unparalleled combination of performance, operating
economics and passenger comfort, able to meet and exceed the new and
challenging requirements of the air transport industry."
The EMBRAER 175's spacious four-abreast cabin can be configured with 78 to
86 seats in single class, as well as with premium seats for dual-class
service. The aircraft's double-bubble fuselage ensures maximum passenger
comfort and stowage space for longer flights within the EMBRAER 175's 1,800 nm
range.
With a 70in/178cm longer fuselage than the EMBRAER 170, the new EMBRAER
175 offers approximately 10% more seat & cargo capacity, yet shares a common
pilot type rating, a common cockpit, common flying qualities with the fly-by-
wire system, and a common engine, the GE CF34-8E.
Mission versatility, operational efficiency and cabin design offered by
the new Embraer jet family allow airlines to operate these aircraft in a
variety of markets where the 70- to 110-seat jets offer natural growth from
traditional regional airplanes, a right-sizing option from larger equipment,
as well as a step forward for low cost carriers to enhance their presence in
mid-size markets. Embraer's order book for the EMBRAER 170/190 family
currently stands at 234 firm orders and 289 options.
Final assembly and outfitting of the second EMBRAER 175 aircraft, S/N
0017, is being carried out at a steady pace. The first EMBRAER 175 aircraft
will be used for handling qualities and performance evaluation tests, while
the second, set to fly in the coming weeks, will be employed for flutter,
buffeting, systems and interior testing.
Regarding the new model's flight development and certification, Luis
Carlos Affonso, EMBRAER 170/190 Program Director and Senior Vice-President,
Engineering and New Product Development, says: "As a result of the similarity
between the two aircraft, the flight test and certification campaign of the
EMBRAER 175 will be based on that of the EMBRAER 170. Our efforts will
concentrate mainly on performance and flying quality aspects of the EMBRAER
175. Thus, the new aircraft's flight test and certification campaign will be
much shorter than its predecessor's."
First in the family, the EMBRAER 170 is completing its flight and
certification program and will be delivered to Alitalia this year. The
EMBRAER 175 certification is due in the third quarter 2004. Embraer, CTA, JAA
and FAA (respectively the Brazilian, European and U.S. certification
authorities) technicians have been meeting regularly to discuss aspects of the
EMBRAER 175 certification since the very early stages of its development.
Meanwhile, the EMBRAER 170/190 development program progresses at an
intense pace. Other relevant facts and milestones are summarized in the
following paragraphs.
EMBRAER 170 Certification Nears End
The EMBRAER 170 is on the final sprint to certification by Brazil's CTA
(Centro Tecnico Aeroespacial). "The seven aircraft participating in the
program, including six prototypes and the first production airplane, have
successfully completed over 90% of the tasks required for certification,"
explains Luis Carlos Affonso.
Natural ice tests were completed to satisfaction two weeks ahead of
schedule. The flutter campaign was successfully completed. Take-off and
landing tests in high-altitude airports were successfully carried out, as well
as crosswind take-off and landing tests. Emergency evacuation tests, which
are also valid for certification of the EMBRAER 175, have been completed with
success.
Among the remaining certification tests currently being conducted are
buffeting assessment, final certification evaluation by the CTA of some
avionics systems, and Function & Reliability (F&R) tests. Some certification
authority system flight checks, as well as extensive operational tests for
verification of maturity, are due in the coming weeks.
Finally, the EMBRAER 170 flight simulator developed jointly with Canadian
manufacturer CAE is operational, and will soon be used for wind shear
certification tests required by the FAA.
EMBRAER 170/190 -- The New Family of Commercial Jets
Embraer has launched and is currently developing an entirely new family of
aircraft. Specifically designed for the commercial market, the new line is
composed of the EMBRAER 170, EMBRAER 175, EMBRAER 190 and EMBRAER 195 mid-
capacity jets -- seating respectively 70, 78, 98 and 108 passengers at a
generous 32-inch pitch.
Six pre-series 70-seat EMBRAER 170 aircraft, the first model of the
Company's new family of commercial jets, are undergoing an intensive
certification program. The maiden flight occurred on February 19, 2002 --
only 32 months after the official launch of the EMBRAER 170/190 program in
June 1999.
Embraer expects its new family of commercial jets will gain a significant
share of the growing market for aircraft in the 70- to 110-seat segment --
mainly due to their superior performance, exceptional cabin comfort and low
operating costs. The airplanes are designed with premium-class seating
capability, two forward and two aft doors, forward and aft galleys and
lavatories, a spacious cabin with ample overhead and under-seat stowage space,
and large forward and aft cargo compartments for baggage and freight.
Currently the EMBRAER 170/190 family has 234 firm orders and 289 purchase
options from SWISS, Air Caraibes, Alitalia, GECAS, LOT, US Airways and
JetBlue.
Roger
EWROPS