The Embraer EMB-145 regional jet was expected to gain European Joint Aviation Authorities (JAA)certification on 12 May, around six months later than originally planned, clearing the way for European launch customer Regional Airlines to put the type into service in early June.
The delay was caused by JAA demands that the Brazilian manufacturer introduce technical modifications to the aircraft, and by difficulties in maintaining effective communications between the 22 member states of the JAA, the Brazilian civil-aviation authority and Embraer, say sources close to the certification programme. The 50-seat EMB-145 is the first major type manufactured outside North America and Europe to be certificated by the JAA.
To gain JAA approval, Embraer had to reduce maximum rudder deflection by 5í, to improve controllability in the event of an engine failure. Also required were changes in the design of the cockpit overhead panel, and the main-engine and auxiliary-power-unit (APU)starter switches. JAA pilots flew the modified aircraft in mid-April, after which the time-consuming process of revising and distributing supporting documentation between authorities began.
Additional data on the possible effects of uncontained failures in the EMB-145's Allison AE3007 powerplant and Sunstrand APS500 APU were also requested by the JAA. The AE3007 had not previously been certificated in Europe, and was the subject of a final meeting of the JAApanel on 7 May.
Embraer says that the JAA "-did require modifications to the aircraft and its flight manuals", although these were "minor adaptations", resulting from the JAA's "different interpretation" of airworthiness requirements, compared with that of the US Federal Aviation Administration.
The second European customer, Portugalia, will receive its first aircraft in May, says Embraer.
Source: Flight International
