FLUG REVUE first flight gallery: Embraer 175

First Flight Gallery: Embraer 175

Read the original first flight press release:

Embraer 175 Takes To The Air

14 June 2003 - Embraer 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 São José 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 Maurício 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 EMBRAER170, 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, Luís 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 on 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.

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Last updated 19 June 2003

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