JACKSON FLORES / RIO DE JANEIRO
Changes to aircraft's design include upgraded avionics and addition of winglets
Embraer has launched the latest version of the EMB-200 Ipanema single-seat agricultural aircraft, under the designation EMB-202 Ipanem‹o, as the aircraft celebrates 30 years of production. The EMB-202 features a number of improvements.
Most of the modifications follow tests performed between 1999 and 2000 with a modified EMB-201A - a higher-powered Ipanema - by crop-spraying operators under field conditions.
Embraer has opted for a crop dusting system on the EMB-202 in place of the conventional wing trailing-edge mounted atomisers.
The Ipanem‹o retains the 225kW (300hp) Lycoming IO-540 engine introduced on the 201 variant. Embraer has replaced the two-blade constant-speed propeller with a three-bladed Hartzell unit and has upgraded the avionics. The increase in maximum take-off weight is 250kg (550lb), which includes a number of airframe and systems changes to reduce the aircraft's basic empty weight and allow the installation of a 950litre (250USgal) hopper, replacing a 680litre hopper on previous versions. The aircraft also includes an electrostatic spray system.
The aircraft's design underwent significant improvements, including the incorporation of winglets designed to give greater directional stability while reducing vortices during crop spraying.
The first Ipanema rolled off the assembly line in 1972 and 850 units have been sold, with four in five sold to Brazilian coffee farmers.
Source: Flight International
