Gains CTA Provisional Certification, Deliveries to Alitalia
Rescheduled to Early 2004
Empresa Brasileira de Aeronautica
S.A. has disclosed that the EMBRAER 170 commercial airliner gained
provisional type certification from the Brazilian airworthiness
authority, Centro Tecnico Aeroespacial (CTA). Issuance of a similar
certificate by the FAA is expected shortly. The provisional type
certificate means that the aircraft meets international safety
standards and allows the delivery of the EMBRAER 170 to airlines
for the beginning of crew training and route testing flights.
"The conclusion of this part of the EMBRAER 170 certification
process is an important step for the EMBRAER 170/190 Program," said
Luis Carlos Affonso, Embraer's Senior Vice-President, Engineering
and New Products Development. "The professionalism, dedication and
resolve of Embraer and CTA team members have allowed us to meet
this goal."
The EMBRAER 170 test campaign was completed with very good
results in terms of performance, comfort and reliability. The
innovative electronic flight control system (fly-by-wire), with
software developed by Honeywell, had its architecture and
functionalities approved in extensive flight and ground tests.
However, recent discussions between Embraer, Honeywell, CTA, FAA
and European Joint Aviation Authorities (JAA) representatives
established a mutual understanding that the flight control system
software certification documentation shall be supplemented, before
definitive type certification is granted in the first quarter
2004.
"Honeywell is fully committed to a swift completion of the final
steps of the formal certification process for the fly-by-wire
system. The EMBRAER 170 is a new class of aircraft that brings
technologies previously found only on larger air transport
aircraft," said John Uczekaj, Executive Vice President And General
Manager of Honeywell Business, Regional and General Aviation.
"Results of the certification flight tests make us very confident
in the design and operation of the fly-by-wire system."
Alitalia Express, having considered the situation described
above, has opted for rescheduling the delivery of its aircraft to
2004, after the definitive type certification is granted. Embraer
and US Airways are currently engaged in discussions aimed at
defining initial deliveries of the EMBRAER 170.
With the postponement of final certification, Embraer is taking
a conservative approach as to its possible consequences, and
therefore the eight EMBRAER 170 aircraft originally scheduled to be
delivered this year to US Airways and Alitalia are being excluded
from the company's 2003 delivery forecast. Embraer now forecasts
102 aircraft to be delivered this year instead of the 110
previously announced.
As of September 30, 2003, the EMBRAER 170/190 family has 245
firm orders and 308 purchase options from Air Caraibes, Alitalia,
GECAS, JetBlue, LOT, SWISS and US Airways.