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EMBRAER 190 MAKES MAIDEN FLIGHT IN SO JOS DOS CAMPOS - BRAZIL



Embraer announced today the maiden flight of the EMBRAER 190, the third
member of a family of new-generation commercial jets specifically
designed for the untapped 70- to 110-seat market. The first flight
marked the beginning of the EMBRAER 190s flight test campaign, which
will be conducted at Gavio Peixoto, in the interior of So Paulo state.
The EMBRAER 190, serial number 0001, took off today from the companys So
Jos dos Campos facility at 10.30 am (local time). In its 2.45-hour
mission, the new aircraft successfully performed a range of systems
validation tests and started the expansion of its flight envelope.

We are thoroughly satisfied with the memorable completion of the EMBRAER
190s maiden flight, which set a new milestone in this highly challenging
program, said Maurcio Botelho, Embraers President and CEO. Once in
serial production, the EMBRAER 190, a world class product, will meet and
exceed the most demanding requirements of the air transport industry.

Conclusion of the flight test campaign will validate the new aircraft,
which can be configured for between 98 and 108 passengers, to receive
type certification in the third quarter of 2005. This will immediately
be followed by the first deliveries to launch customer JetBlue Airways
of the U.S..

Our first flight of the EMBRAER 190 went remarkably well and everything
was as predicted, specially the confirmation of its common flight
characteristics with the other members of the family. Without a doubt,
pilots around the world will find this an excellent aircraft to fly,
said Embraer Flight Test Pilot-in-Command Eduardo Menini. The test
flight crew in the EMBRAER 190s inaugural mission included Flight Test
Chief Pilot Luiz Carlos Rodrigues and Flight Test Engineer Fbio Costa.

The EMBRAER 190 was rolled out in early February in So Jos dos Campos in
a ceremony attended by customers, partners, suppliers as well as
Brazilian President Luiz Incio Lula da Silva and other high-ranking
civilian and military officials. Even before its maiden flight, the
EMBRAER 190 secured 110 firm orders.

ABOUT THE EMBRAER 190

The aircraft is powered by twin under-wing General Electric CF34-10E
engines controlled by a redundant Full Authority Digital Engine Control
(FADEC). This computerized management system optimizes engine operation
during all phases of flight, reducing fuel consumption and maintenance
costs.

Like the other members of the EMBRAER 170/190 family, the EMBRAER 190
has four main cabin doors and offers airlines fast turn-around times and
maximum cabin configuration flexibility for dual class, single class, or
high-density seating arrangements.

One of the strengths of the EMBRAER 170/190 project is the comfort
provided by the double-bubble fuselage design. Unlike other aircraft
with this seating capacity, this design offers much more room around
passengers shoulders and feet. Additionally, seats and aisles are the
widest among airliners of the same class.

The high degree of commonality among the four family airliners also
results in exceptional operating and maintenance cost reduction for the
carriers. Moreover, cross crew qualification (CCQ) allows better
utilization of resources without the restrictions normally associated
with mixed-fleet flying.

Another important feature of the EMBRAER 170/190 program is the use of
fly-by-wire technology for the flight control systems, similar to those
deployed on advanced military aircraft and larger commercial jets.
Additionally, all four jets of the new family are designed to meet and
exceed the demanding noise and emission-related requirements established
by the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO).

The EMBRAER 170/190 family of aircraft has secured 245 firm orders and
305 options from operators such as Air Carabes, Alitalia, Cirrus, GECAS,
LOT Polish Airlines, SWISS, US Airways, and JetBlue.

BL.
- --
Brad Littlejohn | Email:
Unix Systems Administrator, |
Web + NewsMaster, BOFH.. Smeghead! | http://www.sbcglobal.net/~tyketto
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