Gains CTA Provisional Certification, Deliveries to Alitalia Rescheduled to Early 2004

Empresa Brasileira de Aeronautica S.A. has disclosed that the EMBRAER 170 commercial airliner gained provisional type certification from the Brazilian airworthiness authority, Centro Tecnico Aeroespacial (CTA). Issuance of a similar certificate by the FAA is expected shortly. The provisional type certificate means that the aircraft meets international safety standards and allows the delivery of the EMBRAER 170 to airlines for the beginning of crew training and route testing flights.

"The conclusion of this part of the EMBRAER 170 certification process is an important step for the EMBRAER 170/190 Program," said Luis Carlos Affonso, Embraer's Senior Vice-President, Engineering and New Products Development. "The professionalism, dedication and resolve of Embraer and CTA team members have allowed us to meet this goal."

The EMBRAER 170 test campaign was completed with very good results in terms of performance, comfort and reliability. The innovative electronic flight control system (fly-by-wire), with software developed by Honeywell, had its architecture and functionalities approved in extensive flight and ground tests. However, recent discussions between Embraer, Honeywell, CTA, FAA and European Joint Aviation Authorities (JAA) representatives established a mutual understanding that the flight control system software certification documentation shall be supplemented, before definitive type certification is granted in the first quarter 2004.

"Honeywell is fully committed to a swift completion of the final steps of the formal certification process for the fly-by-wire system. The EMBRAER 170 is a new class of aircraft that brings technologies previously found only on larger air transport aircraft," said John Uczekaj, Executive Vice President And General Manager of Honeywell Business, Regional and General Aviation. "Results of the certification flight tests make us very confident in the design and operation of the fly-by-wire system."

Alitalia Express, having considered the situation described above, has opted for rescheduling the delivery of its aircraft to 2004, after the definitive type certification is granted. Embraer and US Airways are currently engaged in discussions aimed at defining initial deliveries of the EMBRAER 170.

With the postponement of final certification, Embraer is taking a conservative approach as to its possible consequences, and therefore the eight EMBRAER 170 aircraft originally scheduled to be delivered this year to US Airways and Alitalia are being excluded from the company's 2003 delivery forecast. Embraer now forecasts 102 aircraft to be delivered this year instead of the 110 previously announced.

As of September 30, 2003, the EMBRAER 170/190 family has 245 firm orders and 308 purchase options from Air Caraibes, Alitalia, GECAS, JetBlue, LOT, SWISS and US Airways.

FMI: www.embraer.com