Blog 27: 04/09/2023 News! Evolution of the ERJ!
American Airlines’ American Eagle ERJ-175 as operated Republic Airways
This week we’ll evaluate the evolution of Brazilian aircraft manufacturing giant Embraer, from the old (comparatively) 50-seat ERJ-145 to the brand new ERJ-195-E2.
The first ERJ - short for Embraer Regional Jet - entered service 26 years ago, and became extremely popular in the North American regional market with the smaller ERJ-145 which could seat 44-people.
The ERJ-135 could seat 37 people in a single-class seating arrangement but was never that popular, however it was leapfrogged by the ERJ-140/145. Embraer prioritized the rapid expansion of the family, leading to the introduction of the shortened ERJ135 and ERJ140 in 1999. The ERJ series' primary competition came from the similarly sized Bombardier/Mitsubishi CRJ-series regional jets. During December 2002, Embraer entered a partnership with the Chinese aerospace manufacturer Harbin Aircraft Industry Group to jointly produce the ERJ145 in the city of Harbin, China, however, this production line was shuttered in 2016 after producing only 41 aircraft. Overall production of the type was terminated in 2020, by which point 1,231 aircraft were built. By this point, the ERJ family had been eclipsed by the newer and much more advanced E-Jet family.
Selected Engine, the Alison GMA E3007 geared turbofan on the Embraer ERJ-145
Source: (By Ad Meskens - Own work, CC BY-SA 3.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=12450941)
The Allison GMA E3007 geared turbofan was selected in March 1990, with a maximum 40 kN (7,100 lbf) take-off thrust and growth capability to 45 kN (10,000 lbf), first flight was then due in September 1991. By May, Embraer had 296 commitments from 19 operators, and was seeking external finance. In June, the maiden flight was expected by the end of 1990. Cabin pressurization was eventually increased to 0.55 bar (8.0 psi) from the Brasilia 0.48 bar (7.0 psi).
Following the engine selection, the aircraft design was revised: length decreased from 27.08 to 26.74 m (88.8 to 87.7 ft), span increased from 22.37 to 22.49 m (73.4 to 73.8 ft), aspect ratio to 9.3 from 9.2. MTOW. or Maximum Takeoff Weight, rose from 16,500 to 18,500 kg (36,400 to 40,800 lb), basic operating weight rose again from 9,560 to 10,940 kg (21,080 to 24,120 lb), maximum fuel from 3,900 to 4,210 kg (8,600 to 9,280 lb) and payload from 4,500 to 5,160 kg (9,920 to 11,380 lb); wing loading weight increased from 330 to 370 kg/m2 (68 to 76 lb/sq ft), time-to-climb to FL400 gained 5 min to 30 min and maximum cruise rose from 405 kn (750 km/h) to 428 kn (787 km/h) at FL360. The first delivery in 1993 was slated to United States regional carrier, ComAir, which ordered 60. In November 1990, a major reduction in Brazilian government spending, which held 61% of its voting share in Embraer, resulted in the manufacturer laying off 32% of its 12,800 employees and suspending development of the EMB-145 for six months.
Revised & Definitive Design of the EMB-145
Bottom view of the ERJ-145 with tail-mounted engines.
Source: (By Adrian Pingstone - Own work, Public Domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=3595167)
Final and revised design~
United Airlines’ United Express’ ERJ-145 operated by ExpressJet in Querétaro, Mexico
Source: (https://cdn.jetphotos.com/full/2/55955_1292461029.jpg Mexico Air Spotters)
In March 1991, a revised configuration started wind tunnel testing: the quarter-chord wing sweep increased to 22.3 degrees with underslung engines for lower aerodynamic drag. This design did not work properly and was revised back to tail-mounted twin engines with winglets on the main wings as noted below.
Demonstrator example types of the initial ERJ 135 and in-service 145 at the Farnborough Air Show, circa July 2000.
Source: (By Anthony Noble - http://www.airliners.net/photo/Embraer/Embraer-EMB-145-(ERJ-145)/1105796/L/, GFDL 1.2, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=24856337)
After re-evaluation late in 1991, the layout was again revised with two rear-fuselage-mounted engines, and a Mach 0.8 cruise speed would be tested in the wind tunnel. Seat pitch is 79 cm (31 in). A further stretch to 50–55 passengers is limited by a 12 degrees rotation angle. Embraer continued to look for partners to share the $350 million development as first flight was expected for late 1994. In December 1994, Embraer was privatized for 80% to Brazilian and US investors while 20% was kept by the Brazilian Government all to keeop the company financially solvent.
3-Abreast cabin of the ERJ-145, the first ERJ to be flown en masse. This is the “LR” or “Long-Range” variant. Registry: N627AE
Source: (By Cory W. Watts from Madison, Wisconsin, United States of America - American Eagle EMB-145LR [N627AE], CC BY-SA 2.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=43512261)
Embraer ERJ-135B, also known early on as the Legacy 600 business jet
Source: (By Aktug Ates - Gallery page https://cdn.jetphotos.com/full/1/65174_1288548785.jpg, GFDL 1.2, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=29041019)
The ERJ shares much in common with Embraer’s Legacy 600 business jet series, which was essentially the ERJ’s progenitor. The Legacy variant It features added range via extra fuel tanks in the tail behind the baggage compartment and forward of the wing, winglets for enhanced stabilization, and an extensive drag reduction program. It is certified to 41,000 feet (12,000 m) altitude versus 37,000 feet (11,000 m) for the airline configuration (per early debut ERJ-135 models).
United Express ERJ-175, operated by SkyWest Airlines
Source: (By Alan Wilson from Stilton, Peterborough, Cambs, UK - Embraer ERJ-175LR (170-200LR) ‘N109SY’ U.E. CC BY-SA 2.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=50641113)
The E170/175~
The only immediately noticeable difference between ERJ-45 and 170 at first glance is the repositioning of the bigger engines. E175 is a slightly stretched version of the E170 and first entered revenue service with launch customer Air Canada in July 2005. The E175 typically seats around 78 passengers and minimal baggage in a typical single class configuration, 76 in a dual-class configuration, and up to 88 in a high-density configuration. Like the E170, It is powered with General Electric CF34-8E engines of 14,200 pounds (62.28 kN) of thrust each. It competed with the Bombardier CRJ-900 (then Canadair, now Mitsubishi as Bombardier) in the commercial market segment previously occupied by the earlier BAe 147 and Fokker late series. As of 2023, it is the only aircraft currently produced in this market segment.
The E175 was initially equipped with the same style of winglets as the rest of the E-Jet family. This was changed starting in 2014 to wider, angled winglets as part of an efficiency improvement package. The angled winglets increase the wingspan from 85 ft. 4 in to 93 ft. 11 in. This winglet change was only made available to the E175 version.
E190/195~
JetBlue (launch customer) Embraer ERJ-195, registry: N355JB
Source: By Anna Zvereva from Tallinn, Estonia - JetBlue Airways, N355JB, Embraer ERJ-190AR, CC BY-SA 2.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=87516893)
The E190/195 models are larger stretches of the E170/175 models fitted with a new, larger wing, a larger horizontal stabilizer, two emergency over-wing exits, and a new engine. The E190/195 is fitted with two underwing-mounted GE 34-8E-10 turbofan engines, rated at 82.29 kN (18,500 lbf). The engines and engine nacelles are supplied by General Electric. The engines are equipped with full authority digital engine control (FADEC). The fully redundant, computerized management system continuously optimizes the engine performance resulting in reduced fuel consumption and maintenance requirements. The aircraft carries 13,000 kg of fuel and is fitted with a Parker Hannifin fuel system.
Embraer R-99
Brazilian Air Force AWACs Aircraft
Source: (By Tim Felce (Airwolfhound) - R99 - RIAT 2007, CC BY-SA 2.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=27818301)
There is a military variant, known as the R-99 RIAT. This is only used by the Brazilian Air Force and its selected allies, known operators of whi8ch include Greece, Italy, Mexico, and India - none of which are surprising given their annual operating budgets. The Embraer R99 is equipped with 2x Rolls Royce AE1-3007 engines; these engines provide 20% more thrust than the civilian equivalents. The R99 RIAT is the Brazilian Air Force’s AWACs (airborne warning and control) aircraft, the equivalent of the United States Air Force’s E-3 Sentry. In terms of operational history: A Brazilian R-99 was deployed on request of Peruvian authorities to locate the site where 71 hostages were being kept by the armed group Shining Path, also officially known as the Communist Party of Peru - Shining Path, Shining Path is widely known as a terrorist organization. The Brazilian Air Force R-99 detected the origin of VHF radio waves so the Peruvian authorities could rescue the hostages in 2003. In civil aviation circles, On June 1st 2009, a R-99 was deployed on the search for the missing Air France flight 447, commonly known as the titanic of the skies. The fact is reported as the first real mission of a Brazilian R-99 on maritime search. The R-99 synthetic-aperture radar allowed to locate aircraft's debris and victims bodies 800 km away from Fernando de Noronha archipelago, even at night and under bad weather conditions. The large A330-200’s empennage and a galley were the biggest debris located by the R-99 RIAT. See picture to the right.
ERJ-190 E2 Norwegian Regional Airline Wideroe, launch customer
Source: (By Valentin Hintikka from Finland - LN-WEA Widerøe E190-E2 @ HEL, CC BY 2.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=70434112)
Virgin Atlantic ERJ-190
Interior View. Note the 4-abreast seating arrangement. A strong attempt is being made to look an d emulate “big brother” aircraft.
Source: (By User: Bidgee - Own work, CC BY-SA 3.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=25102382)
The ERJ series, or family, of aircraft evolved into the E-jet series, which again evolved into the E2 Jet series. The E-Jet was designed as a complement to the preceding ERJ family, Embraer's first regional jet; designed to carry between 66 and 124 passengers, it was larger than any prior aircraft built by the company and resembled the narrow-body craft built by French major commercial market dominator. Airbus.
The E-Jet series has been a commercial success primarily due to its ability to efficiently serve lower-demand routes while offering many of the same amenities and features of larger jets. Initial teething issues, including hydraulic and engine-specific problems, were quickly overcome, and Embraer rapidly expanded its product support division for better global coverage. The E-Jet family is commonly used by both mainline and regional airlines around the world and has become particularly popular with regional airlines in the United States. It has also served as the basis for the enhanced Embraer Lineage 1000 business jet.
In November of 2011, Embraer Aircraft announced that it would develop revamped versions of the E-Jet to be called the E-Jet E2 family. The new jets would feature improved engines that would be more fuel efficient and take advantage of new technologies and thus have longer range, more comfort for passengers, and enable more variety.
Beyond the new engines, the E2 family would also feature new wings, improved avionics, and other improvements to the aircraft. The move came amid a period of high global fuel costs and better-positions Embraer especially as global competitors introduced new and more fuel efficient jets, including the commonly-used Mitsubishi Regional Jet, or Canadair-class CRJ series of aircraft.
In January 2013, Embraer selected the Pratt & Whitney PW1000G geared turbofan engine to power the E2 family. Alth9ough in service, the E2 is regarded as a commercial fairlure now as the first quarter of 2023 ends.
CURRENT OPERATORS:
As of March 2023:
CommuteAir: 64
Piedmont Air: 57
AirLink: 27
JSX: 23
Envoy Air: 22 (launch customer of ERJ-140LR)
Logainair: 13 (the only non-North American carrier)
Variants:
ERJ135ER – Extended range, although this is the baseline 135 model. Simple shrink of the ERJ145, seating thirteen fewer passengers, for a total of 37 passengers. Not widely used.
ERJ135LR – Long Range – increased fuel capacity and upgraded engines. Launch customer of Belgium Air Force - for VIP travel.
ERJ135KL - tanker variant, not widely used.
ERJ140ER – Simple shrink of the ERJ145, seating six fewer passengers for a total of 44 passengers.
ERJ140LR – Long Range (increased fuel capacity (5,187 kg) and upgraded engines. Launch customer of American Eagle. (Envoy)
ERJ145STD – The baseline original, seating for a total of 50 passengers.
ERJ145EU – Model optimized for the European market. Same fuel capacity as 145STD (4,174 kg) but an increased MTOW 19,990 kg
ERJ145ER – Extended Range, although this is the Baseline 145 model.
ERJ145EP – Same fuel capacity as 145ER (4,174 kg) but an increased MTOW 20,990 kg. Launch Customer of Flybmi.
ERJ145LR – Long Range – increased fuel capacity (5,187 kg) and upgraded engines. Launch customer of CommutAir.
ERJ145LU – Same fuel capacity as 145LR (5,187 kg) but an increased MTOW 21,990 kg.
ERJ145MK – Same fuel capacity (4,174 kg), landing weight (MLW) and MTOW as in the 145STD, but a changed MZFW (17,700 kg).
ERJ145XR – Extra-long Range, numerous aerodynamic improvements, including winglets, strakes, etc. for lower cruise-configuration drag; a ventral fuel tank (aft location) in addition to the two main larger capacity wing tanks (same tanks as in the LR models); increased weight capacity; higher top speed and up-rated engines. Launch customer of United Airlines regional carrier', United Express.
The Embraer E2 is the latest model with no immediate plans to expand or change the line.
