Continues Development And Upgrades Of Their Executive Jet Fleet

By John Ylinen

While the troubled international economy continues to drive down anticipated demand for new orders especially in the low end of personally owned and operated jets. Ernie Edwards (President) of Embraer Executive Jets, said at a briefing for the media Wednesday at AirVenture that it continues to receive orders, especially in their larger jets, and the pre-owned jet market is improving. Also discussed was the recent announcement between Embraer and AVIC to build executive jets in China and recent sales of their jets there also.

Embraer continues to make investments in the US with the establishment of the Embraer Engineering and Technology Center USA as part of its growing aeronautical cluster in Melbourne, Florida initially focused on the interiors and employing 200 engineers. Embraer continues design and engineering on their Legacy 450 and 500 mid-sized aircraft.  The 500 is expected to first fly in in the next few months 2012 and be in production in late 2012 or early 2014.  The Legacy 450 will follow about a year later.

Embraer also announced two new interior options including a fifth seat which would replace the wardrobe in the forward cabin and a certified belted lavatory. Both options are now available and flying in customer aircraft. The new seating options have the potential to bring the Phenom 100 total occupancy to eight.  In addition, Embraer is in the process of certifying an increase in Maximum Zero Fuel Weight (MZFW) for that requiring higher payload capacity. The Company expects to offer this as an option later this year.

Also on hand for viewing was the A-29 Super Tucano, Embraer’s bid for the USAF Light Air Support aircraft.  Ebraer discussed the recent announcement between Embraer and Boeing that further enhances the collaboration between the two companies and brings additional capabilities to Embraer’s A-29 Super Tucano through new weapons integration developments to meet future customer requirements. Embraer noted that 86% of the parts for this aircraft come from the US and would create 1200 new jobs and no new jobs would be created in Brazil.

FMI:  www.embraerexecutivejets.com