AS EMBRAER establishes its EMB-145 in the regional market on its approach to service entry, the Brazilian manufacturer is evaluating possible developments of its commercial product line.
Embraer president Mauricio Botelho says that the company is evaluating developments in size categories on either side of the 50-seat, three-abreast EMB-145, and assumes that "-they will be jet-powered". Botelho concedes that a simple growth derivative of the EMB-145 is not yet envisaged, with any larger jet-airliner requiring a new wing and fuselage.
According to Luis Carlos Affonso, Embraer's director of engineering, studies for a larger-jet development centre around a wider fuselage, enabling at least four-abreast seating. "The wing would also have to be enlarged, and a more powerful version of the Allison AE3000 turbofan adopted," he says.
During the past ten years Embraer has sold more than 300 EMB-120 Brasilia turboprops in the highly competitive 30- to 35-seat market. With Fairchild Dornier and Raytheon already studying jet-powered developments for this market, however, Embraer may be forced to modify its own product line. Affonso says that a "shrink" of the EMB-145 is a possibility. "It would be quite straightforward to develop a shorter, lower-capacity, derivative if the market required it," he says.
During the Farnborough air show, Continental Express became the first North American customer for the EMB-145, with a commitment for 200 aircraft, including 25 firm orders and 175 options. The first aircraft will be delivered in December, while the options extend over the next 12 years.
Affonso says that US Federal Aviation Administration certification will take place "by early November", while European Joint Aviation Authorities approval is expected "in mid-January".
According to Affonso, EMB-145 production is running at one aircraft a month, but is set to rise to four. "We will reach two a month in the second quarter of 1997, and four a month by the end of next year-the average [rate] for 1997 will be around three aircraft a month," he says.
Including, the Continental Express order, Embraer has accumulated 63 firm orders for the EMB-145 and 217 options from customers in nine countries.
Source: Flight International
