Industry Embraer E175-E2 completes maiden flight

From the company’s facility in São José dos Campos, the aircraft took off for a two hours and 18 minutes flight over Brazil. Embraer´s Captain Mozart Louzada had control over the aircraft along with first officer Wander Almodovar Golfetto and flight engineers Gilberto Meira Cardoso and Mario Ito.

This maiden flight starts an intensive 24-month flight test campaign, in which the aircraft will be tested strictly. During the first flight, the crew was able to test first performance, flight quality and systems behaviour tests.

“Today’s flight of the E175-E2 marks the completion of our vision to produce a family of new-generation commercial aircraft that bring unparalleled cost savings to our customers, exceptional comfort for their passengers, and fewer emissions for the planet,” said John Slattery, President & CEO, Embraer Commercial Aviation. “The E190-E2 and the E195-E2 are already stellar performers. The E175-E2 is just as impressive. We’re eager to get working on certification. My sincere thanks to every Embraer employee who helped make this day possible.”

For its certification programme, Embraer will use a total for three E175-E2s. The first and second prototypes will be used for aerodynamic, performance and system tests, while the third prototype will be used to validate maintenance tasks. Furthermore, aircraft number three will receive interior furnishings.

The E175-E2 is the smallest aircraft in Embraer´s new E2 family, which additionally consists of the E190-E2 and E195-E2. Compared to the first generation E175, this aircraft features an additional row of seats and can be therefore configured with 80 seats in two classes or with up to 90 seats in a single-class configuration.

Compared to the previous-generation E175, the E175-E2 will save up to 16% in fuel and 25% in maintenance costs per seat. The aircraft is being powered by state-of-the-art Pratt & Whitney GTF™ PW1700G ultra-high bypass ratio engines. Furthermore, a completely new wing and landing gear has been developed.

Launch customer of the E175-E2 was SkyWest, as the airline placed a firm order for 100 aircraft in June 2013. However, the U.S.-American cancelled the order in the third quarter of 2018. No other airline has ordered the E175-E2 to date.