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Embraer190 Update
Test-flying activity at Embraer is hitting a peak as the company races to gain on-time FAA certification for its 98 to 108-seat Embraer 190 airliner by the third quarter of this year. Deliveries are due to commence immediately afterwards, and with 100 firm orders and 100 options from launch customer jetBlue alone, things are definitely bustling in Brazil.
Prototype 001 is central to the airliner’s engine trials, and will then be dedicated to crosswind landing and CAT II landing certification tests. The second test aircraft, 190-002, has already undergone successful cold soaks in Alaska, and is currently involved in Vmca, Vmcg, bleed air pressure and AFCS certification. Then comes landing gear braking tests and avionics Load 4 checks.
190-003 is currently involved in buffet tests (Vdf), to be followed by flying qualities after FCS failure and A-PC, which is the new term for Pilot-Induced Oscillation (PIO).
190-004 has a full interior and is performing function and reliability tests.
Embraer’s (to date) only 195 (the longest aircraft in the family with a 108 to 118-seat cabin), which is displaying here at Le Bourget, has also been used in support of the 190’s test program. Certification for the 195 is slated for the second quarter of 2006, with deliveries due to begin in the third quarter.
The first Embraer 190 Flight Simulator will be ready for crew training in Orlando, Florida this month. The Brazilian manufacturer is already using it to prove the airplane’s dual HUD system. Embraer says its objective is to have one simulator which can handle training on all four aircraft in the E-Jet family. An Embraer 190 cabin crew trainer is due to be delivered to jetBlue this month. —Mike Vines
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