Now Allowed to Start Revenue Service
Embraer has been granted final type and production certification
for the EMBRAER 170 airliner from the Brazilian Centro Tecnico
Aerospacial (CTA). A letter of recommendation from the European
Joint Aviation Authorities (JAA) and issuance of a final type
certification by the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA)
will follow shortly.
Embraer also expects the newly established European Aviation
Safety Agency (EASA) to issue its type certificate for the EMBRAER
170 early next week. Awarding of final type certification for the
EMBRAER 170 paves the way for the first deliveries and allows the
aircraft to enter revenue service. Embraer expects deliveries to
LOT Polish Airlines, Alitalia and U.S. Airways to begin
shortly.
"We are very glad that the EMBRAER 170 is soon to enter revenue
service in key European and U.S. markets, where we believe its
attractive economics and high levels of comfort will please both
airlines and passengers," said Antonio Luiz Pizarro Manso, Embraer
Executive Vice-President Corporate & CFO.
Conclusion of the certification process validates the excellent
characteristics of this aircraft, namely its runway performance,
high levels of comfort, low fuel consumption and reduced
maintenance costs.
The certification program for the EMBRAER 170 involved the
production of more than 2,000 certification reports, as well as
some 4,000 development and supporting documents. More than 1,000
meetings were held with CTA certification officials, and an
additional 120 meetings were conducted with JAA and FAA officials
with CTA's support.
The flight test program involved six prototypes and one
production aircraft used for reliability testing. An additional 250
tests were conducted in laboratories and ground test
simulators.
"The simultaneous CTA, JAA and FAA's certification processes
were an indication of the close cooperation between Embraer and the
authorities in the application of harmonized certification
requirements. Embraer congratulates the authorities, its partners
and its workforce on this great achievement," said Luis Carlos
Affonso, Senior Vice-President, Engineering and New Product
Development.
This simultaneous certification campaign enabled the development
of a single Type Design for the EMBRAER 170, which allows the
company to deliver it in the same certified configuration for
Brazilian, European and US operators. The EMBRAER 170 is the first
of a four-member jet family to be granted final type certification
from Brazilian, European and U.S. aerospace agencies. The EMBRAER
175 should be next, with its final certification expected in the
fourth quarter of 2004, followed by the EMBRAER 190 in the third
quarter of 2005, and the EMBRAER 195 in the second quarter of
2006.
The EMBRAER 170/190 family has attracted 245 firm orders and 305
options from Air Caraibes, Alitalia, Cirrus, GECAS, JetBlue, LOT,
SWISS and U.S. Airways.
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