First of the Family of Brazil's Newest 'Liners

Embraer announced Monday 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 Sao Jose 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 Mauricio 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 175's 1,800 nm range.

Plug-and-play in the fleet:

With a 70in (178cm) longer fuselage than the -170, 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. Embraer's order book for the EMBRAER 170/190 family currently stands at 234 firm orders and 289 options. This 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.

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 in 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 175's certification since the very early stages of its development.

FMI: www.embraer.com.br