2004 delivery for ERJ-170 stretch

PAUL LEWIS / WASHINGTON DC

Manufacturer confirms that regional jet variant will have eight more single class seats than baseline model

Embraer is tentatively planning delivery of the first proposed ERJ-170-200 stretch aircraft by the end of 2004, ahead of the ERJ-190-100. This would make it the next derivative addition to the regional jet family after the baseline ERJ-170 and the ERJ-190-200, to be launched and enter development.

More design details have been released about the enlarged development of the ERJ-170 now being marketed to airlines, first revealed by (Flight International, 8-14 May 2001). The company confirms that the aircraft would accommodate 78- to 86-seats of 31 or 32in (79- 81cm) pitch in a single class configuration. This is eight more than the baseline ERJ-170 (dubbed -100). The aircraft is intended to counter the 86-seat Bombardier CRJ900 and the wider, five abreast cabin of the Fairchild Dornier 728JET.

The ERJ-170-200 would represent a relatively simple stretch of the baseline aircraft's fuselage with two 0.89m (35in) plugs added fore and aft of the centre fuselage section taking overall length to 31.67m. The longer overall airframe would increase the aircraft's maximum height to the top of its tailfin from the ERJ-170's 9.67m to 9.84m. Unlike the ERJ-190, the smaller stretch would retain the same 26m-span wing as the 70-seater.

Like the ERJ-170 and the 108- to 116-seat ERJ-190-200, the stretch ERJ-170 would be offered in both standard and long range (LR) configurations with a maximum take-off weight (MTOW) of 36,020kg (79,340lb) and 37,450kg. This represents a 600kg increase over the ERJ-170's MTOW. The real penalty is a maximum range 925km (500nm) short of the ERJ-170-100 LR version's 3,885km.

If launched, the aircraft could fly as early as 2003 and not far behind the scheduled maiden flight of the ERJ-190-200, the first of which is due for delivery to launch customer Crossair in mid-2004. This would put the ERJ-170-200 ahead of the 98-108-seat ERJ-190-100, which as yet does not have a launch customer and is not envisaged to enter airline service before the second quarter of 2005.

Embraer, meanwhile, has begun a US road show with the ERJ-190-200. Given the US scope clauses that restrict regional jet size to fewer than 70-seats, the ERJ-190 is aimed at US carriers looking to replace 100-seater fleets.

Source: Flight International