Embraer's second 190 is to join the test programme "in a couple of weeks", says the Brazilian company's director of market intelligence Orlando Neto. The first aircraft, which made its maiden sortie on 12 March, is being transferred to the Gaviao Peixoto test site for flying qualities and performance evaluation following completion of ground vibration and load calibration tests.
Four 190s will eventually participate in the certification effort, due to be completed by July 2005. Meanwhile, certification of the 78-seater 175 is continuing, with the interior of the second test aircraft due to be completed in June. The initial 170 fleet in service now numbers 11 aircraft, with Alitalia having introduced its first 170 into revenue service on internal flights at the end of April.
Source: Flight International
