Updates Phenom Progress At LAL; Announces Transport Study At
LAAD
It's no secret Brazilian
planemaker Embraer is serious about increasing its presence in the
business aviation marketplace, with development progressing on the
company's Phenom 100 VLJ and slightly larger Phenom 300. As those
aircraft near their first flights, the company is also increasing
its presence at Fly-In events like Lakeland 2007, as well.
In a press conference Wednesday, Embraer representatives told
attendees the company performed the first Phenom 100 executive jet
wing-fuselage mating in late March, at its main plant in São
José dos Campos, Brazil. Both the wing and the fuselage
– assembled at the Botucatu plant – arrived at
Embraer’s main facility and are now undergoing systems
integration.
The anemometric, oxygen and hydraulic systems have already been
installed, as well as the main landing gear. The first Phenom 100
jet is being equipped with flight test instrumentation.
“The Phenom 100 program makes firm and steady
progress,” said Luís Carlos Affonso, Embraer’s
Executive Vice-President, Executive Jets. “This achievement
is a direct reflection of Embraer’s commitment to deliver an
outstanding and revolutionary executive aircraft.”
The first three Phenom 100s are being completed at the
São José dos Campos plant.
Also in March, Embraer performed the first metal cut for the
Phenom 300 executive jet. An automated five-axis high-speed
machining center milled the aircraft’s first part –- a
nose landing gear fitting located in the forward fuselage.
CATIA V5 software supported digital design and manufacturing
simulations on both platforms. Embraer also uses avanced
technological instruments as laser and ultra-sound are used in the
quality assurance process.
“The first metal cut is another significant achievement
that confirms the stead advance of the Phenom 300 program,”
said Henrique Langenegger, Embraer Vice-President, Programs,
Executive Jets. “This revolutionary light jet concept is
becoming a reality.”
But bizjets aren't the only as-yet untapped market Embraer is
exploring. The company also confirmed, during a conference Thursday
at Latin America Aero & Defense (LAAD) in Rio de Janeiro, that
it has been studying the possible development of a military
transport aircraft.
If the aircraft is
actually launched, the C-390, as it is called, will be the heaviest
airplane ever produced by the company... and will be able to
transport up to 19 tons (41,888 pounds) of cargo.
Embraer also says the new project will incorporate a number of
features developed for the Embraer 190 commercial jet. As a
medium-sized military transport jet, the C-390 will be equipped
with a rear ramp for transporting a wide range of types of cargo,
including wheeled armored vehicles, and will also sport modern
loading and unloading systems.
The new jet may be refueled in flight, as well as be used to
refuel other aircraft, in flight and on the ground. The cargo cabin
will allow configurations for transporting the wounded or sick, on
Medical Evacuation (MEDEVAC) missions.
The technical advances of the Embraer C-390 include fly-by-wire,
which lowers the work load of pilots, with the resulting increased
safety, and operating on short and unpaved runways, without the
need of ground support.
“Our analyses indicate that there is a potential market
for this type of aircraft worldwide, especially to substitute older
models that will reach the end of their useful life over the coming
decade,” said Luiz Carlos Aguiar, Embraer’s Executive
Vice-President, Defense and Government Market. “We are now
expanding the studies and looking for the best use of the
technological solutions employed in the Embraer 170/190 family.
They will be carefully adapted to the specific needs of the
military operators. This is a good example of spin-off and how
Embraer’s long-term vision is focused on customer
satisfaction.”
Does that sound to you like the C-390 is merely a design
proposal? Not to us, either...