New Wing Design Graces ERJ-170

Brazil's Embraer has decided to add winglets to the design of the ERJ-170 regional jet. A similar modification has already been flown on the EMB-145RS (R-99A) AEW&C platform now under development for the Brazilian Air Force. The ERJ-170 configuration change was formally announced at the fourth ERJ-170/190 Advisory Board Meeting, held at Fort Lauderdale June 15-17.

The ERJ winglets were one of the last items to be covered in the program's Joint Definition Phase, and are already implemented in the aircraft's digital mockup. The proven performance of the EMB-145RS's winglets encouraged Embraer to add them as a standard feature on the ERJ-170. They improve fuel burn and climb performance, increasing range and payload. Hot-and-high performance and obstacle clearance on takeoff will also benefit.

By using advanced design tools such as computational fluid dynamics, digital mockup and virtual reality, Embraer has been able to incorporate the new winglets without any impact on the ERJ-170's development schedule

"Computer-generated studies have indicated that the installation of winglets will provide a range enhancement in the order of 3% to 5% for the ERJ-170 at typical cruise speeds and gross weights," said ERJ-170/190 programs director Luis Carlos Affonso. It is "a carefully considered step," Affonso said, "generating higher revenue potential and lower operating costs." Such are the predicted benefits of the ERJ-170 that Embraer is now investigating adding winglets to other member of its regional jet family.

By John Fricker