| Embraer, the Brazilian Regional Airplane manufacturer, has seen exceptional growth and
success, much thanks to its strategy, and timing, in designing and developing a family
of regional jets at the start of the booming 1990s. The ERJ145-family concept, consisting of three family-members, the 37-seater ERJ135, the 44-seater ERJ140, and the 50-seater ERJ145, has been a huge success in the market with well over 900 firm orders and options so far. To build on this success, Embraer in June 1999 decided to launch a completely new family of lar- ger regional jets, beginning with the 70-seater |
ERJ170. The plans are to develop four different versions, covering a market segment between 70-110 seating capacity. The stated goal is to develop a regional jet with "the comfort and performance of a major airliner, and the economics of a regional airliner". An ambitious development schedule resulted in a first flight of this new generation, "widebody"-regional jet in February 2002. This was also the starting point for an extensive flight test program, which will include a total of 6 airframes, leading to certification in the first quarter of 2003. |
| Modern design, innovative solutions and a smart looking aircraft body-shape. These are
some words that can describe the brand new Embraer 170 Regional Jet that visited Stockholm-
Bromma Airport on September 19th, 2002. The main purpose of the visit was to demonstrate
the aircraft for potential customers in Scandinavia, including SAS Scandinavian Airlines. The design of this brand new aircraft is conventional, with two wing-mounted turbofan-engines, a 4-abreast seating configura- tion, conventional flight-yoke arrangement, state-of-the-art glass |
cockpit, fly-by-wire flight control system with mechanical backup
in two axis, and a conventional empennage-design. To improve aerodynamic efficiency Embraer has entered the bandwagon and added winglets for better performance. The engines are GE CF34-8E and based on the same core as other engines used by competing aircraft. What was interesting to note were the chevron-shaped nozzles at the back of the engines, which are designed to disperse the outflux and minimize engine noise. |
| Being one of the lucky souls to be invited to participate in the demonstration
flight, it was with great excitement we entered the aircraft after a thorough
external inspection and walk-around of the aircraft. I carefully climbed the
built-in stairs (a la Fokker F-28) and entered the cabin. We were cheerfully
greeted by two Brazilian ladies acting as cabin crew for the trip. Comparing the cabin-size with that of the smaller ERJ-145 indicates that Embraer has put passenger comfort much higher on the agenda. Being an X-registered test-aircraft was evidently noticed during start and climb-out, since yawing noticably back |
and forth, so some fine-tuning of the flight control system is clearly needed before it can enter scheduled service. The cabin noise level was well within
acceptable levels. Also, inspection of the cockpit showed a very modern design
with glass-cockpit instrumentation all over the place. Landing back at Bromma airport caused very high noise-levels from the nose landing-gear. It really didn't sound like a "standard landing". What ever happened, the aircraft was for the 5-6 next days before departing Sweden for the next stop on the "Wings over Europe" tour. |
| Specification: | Data: |
| Country of Origin Date of First Flight Date of First Delivery: |
Brazil February, 2002 Spring 2003 (Estimated) |
| Engine Data Engine Type |
2 engines, 52.0-61.4 kN each GE CF34-8E |
| Dimensions: Length/Wingspan/Height Wing Area/Asp Ratio/Sweep Ang Wheel Base/Track Cabin Width |
29.90 m / 26.00 m / 9.67 m - sqm / - / - - m / - m 2.74 m |
| Weights: Operating Empty Max Zero Fuel Max Takeoff Weight Max Landing Weight Max Payload |
20700 kg - kg 35990 (LR 37200) kg 32800 kg 8900 kg |
| Performance: Maximum Cruise Speed Approach Speed (approx.) BFL Takeoff BFL Landning Cruising Altitude Design Range Fuel Capacity Fuel Flow in Cruise Typical Passenger Numbers |
Mach 0.80 / 870 km/h - 1689 m 1160 m 35000 ft 3889 km - ca 1600 litres/hr 70 pax (at 32" pitch) |
| Customers |
SWISS 30 (LX), Air Caraibes 2, GECAS Leasing (50), PB Air (2+3)> |