Embraer Flies New ERJ 170 Regional
And Claims 214 Firm Orders, Options

Embraer's new Embraer 170 regional jet made its first flight last week, staying aloft for two and a half hours from the company's factory at São José dos Campos, Brazil.

The aircraft, also known as the ERJ 170, is the first of a new family of 70- to 108-seat aircraft. Prototype #0001, with Brazilian registry PP-XJE, was declared airborne from São José's 10,000-foot runway 15 at exactly 11:37 hours UTC/GMT on February 19.

"This is another milestone for Embraer, a very special and rewarding moment," said Embraer president and CEO Maurício Botelho. "The roll-out ceremony in late October 29 was remarkable," he said, "but to watch our new, bigger bird taking off was pure joy, which I want to share with every Embraer employee, to whom I present my compliments."

Test pilots José Carlos Rodrigues and Eduardo Camelier, and flight test engineer Gilberto Cardoso, said the maiden flight was routine. "The aircraft did better than was foreseen," Capt. Rodrigues said.

PT-XJE's landing gear and flaps were cycled exhaustively under in-flight aerodynamic loads.

The company plans a certification campaign with six flight test aircraft and two structural test articles, and despite a two-month delay in pre-flight testing is still targeting Embraer 170 certification by year-end, or early 2003.

"Development of the other family members, the Embraer 175, 195 and 190, proceeds as planned, aiming at first deliveries on July 2004, December 2004 and December 2005, respectively," the company says.

Embraer claims 112 firm orders and 202 options for the Embraer 170/190 family.

A 'Conservative Posture'

"A conservative posture is still the most suitable one under the present circumstances, since we believe that the consequences of late September 11 irresponsible acts will still be influent in 2002," Embraer president and CEO Maurício Botelho said at the close of a recent investors' conference in São José dos Campos.

Embraer delivered 161 commercial jet aircraft in 2001 and says that while some delivery schedules have been revised, "there was no firm order canceling." The company continues to predict delivery of 135 aircraft this year, and 145 in 2003.