First To Be Certified To New FAA Requirements

Embraer announced Wednesday its E-190 regional jet recently earned 120 minute ETOPS (Extended-range Twin-engine Operational Performance Standards) approval from the FAA. The 114-seat aircraft obtained the same certification from Brazil’s National Civil Aviation Agency in February.

The ETOPS 120 rating enables the Embraer 190 to fly routes that have a diversion airport up to 120 minutes from the flight path. Therefore, the jet can fly long distances over oceans, deserts and other inhospitable areas, thus increasing its operational capability, everywhere in the world, especially in Southeast Asia and Oceania.

ETOPS 120 is already available on regular Air Niugini flights connecting Papua New Guinea and Australia.

In March 2007, the Embraer 190 obtained its first ETOPS certification, for 75 minutes. This new approval is not merely an extension of the limit existing prior to the 120 minutes, but it also involves meeting a series of more demanding requirements. The Embraer jet is the first in the world to comply with the new rules established by Appendix K, Part 25, of the FAA’s regulations, showing the high quality and extensive operational capacity of the Embraer 190.

"We are very proud of receiving this further certification, because of its complexity and the significant contribution it makes to increasing the reliability and flexibility of the E-Jets," said Antonio Campello, Embraer Vice President, Programs – Airline Market. "ETOPS 120 minutes will help us to expand the competitive positioning of the E-Jets in such important regions as Southeast Asia and Oceania, where we offer our customers a product that provides a variety of marketplaces with comfort, efficiency, economy, and the highest quality available on the market."

The Embraer 190 is one member of a family of four E-Jets, which is a new generation of aircraft optimized for the 70 to 120-seat segment. As of March 31, Embraer had firm orders for 835 E-Jets, with an additional 840 options, totaling 1,675 orders from over 45 customers worldwide.

FMI: www.embraer.com