Embraer

On Friday, Embraer announced it had concluded a series of experimental flights in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. These flights were focused on evaluating new autonomous system technologies in actual flight conditions, looking to enable safe autonomous operations in complex urban environments. The Brazilian company is working with EVE, a startup developing an electric Vertical Take-Off and Landing (eVTOL) aircraft. Let’s investigate further.

eVTOL experimental flights

The eVTOL technology is being rapidly developed around the world. Many companies are looking to build commercially autonomous aircraft to establish Urban Air Mobility worldwide. Embraer is one of these companies, along with many others like Airbus, Boeing, Vertical Aerospace, and more.

Embraer and EVE launched a project to evaluate new autonomous system technologies in real flight conditions.

The Brazilian company employed regular piloted helicopters in the aerial data collection and real-time evaluation of these technologies in urban scenarios.

These experiments are part of the Embraer Autonomous Systems project, also known as Projet EASy, which uses an agile testing process to develop solutions that will enable the autonomous aviation of the future, said Embraer in a statement. In a nutshell, Embraer is in the first steps to developing the systems allowing EVE VTOL to fly safely through an urban environment.

Felipe Turetta, an R&D engineer for Autonomous Systems at Embraer, said,

“The objective of those tests that we are performing is to exercise the perception system, which is comprised of seven cameras with the objective of obtaining information about the surroundings of the aircraft, and this information will be fed into AI algorithms which will translate this into meaningful information that can be used to make decisions while flying.”

Embraer will not begin autonomous flights without pilots

The Brazilian manufacturer wants to put the first eVTOL aircraft in service within the following years. For example, it wants to bring flying taxis to Australia by 2026. Nonetheless, Embraer (and all the eVTOL-related companies) have to undergo a very long certification process before that happens.

That’s why experiments such as this are important. Julio Bolzani, Head of Autonomous Systems at Embraer, said,

“This project allowed us to evaluate technologies in real-time and also collect lots of data that will later be used in simulations. It is important to note that we are not going straight to fully autonomous operations. As Eve begins operations, pilots will be onboard and will also benefit from the application of these technologies through a safer and simplified vehicle operation until we reach a fully certified autonomous flight system for Urban Air Mobility.”

EVE’s order book

Currently, EVE has an order pipeline valued at more than US$5.0 billion. The company has received more than 1,700 vehicle orders from nearly 20 launch customers around the world.

Discover more aviation news here.

Francisco Gomes Neto, President, and CEO of Embraer has said the company believes the urban air mobility market has enormous potential to expand in the coming years, based on an efficient, zero-emissions transport proposition and an effective business proposal.

When do you expect to see eVTOL aircraft in the skies? Let us know in the comments below.

Lead Journalist – South America – Daniel comes to Simple Flying with many years of aviation journalism experience, having worked with Mexican publication A21, Roads & Kingdoms, El Economista and more. His degree in journalism allows him to form beautifully crafted and insightful pieces. His specialist knowledge of Latin American airlines and close relationship with the likes of Aeromexico, Avianca, Volaris brings depth to our coverage in the region. Based in Mexico City, Mexico.

Nordic Aviation Capital (NAC), the world’s largest regional aircraft leasing company, will be a launch lessor of Embraer’s E-Jet Passenger to Freight (P2F) conversions. NAC and Embraer have reached an agreement in principle to take up to 10 conversion slots for E190F/E195F, with the first deliveries starting in 2024. Aircraft for conversion will come from NAC’s existing E190/E195 fleet.

Norman C.T. Liu, President and CEO Nordic Aviation Capital, said, “We look forward to working with Embraer on developing an operator base for the E-Jet Freighter as cargo conversions are a key element of our full life cycle portfolio strategy for the future.”

Arjan Meijer, President and CEO Embraer Commercial Aviation, said, “It’s great to be doing business with NAC, who has always been a strong supporter of Embraer and regional aviation. Having launched the E190F and E195F very recently, today’s announcement with NAC is a strong indicator of the demand we are seeing for our E-Jet freight conversions.”

Johann Bordais, President & CEO, Embraer Services & Support, said, “There is unprecedented demand for airfreight, especially for same-day deliveries and decentralised operations; the perfect mission for E-Jet sized freighters. Embraer’s P2F solution provides NAC with ideal revenue-earning extension opportunities for our earlier E-Jet models, now set to replace the more polluting narrowbody cargo aircraft heading into retirement.”

Embraer’s E-Jet P2F conversions deliver segment-leading performance and economics – the E-Jet Freighters will have over 50% more volume capacity, three times the range of large cargo turboprops, and up to 30% lower operating costs than narrowbodies.

The conversion to freighter will be performed at Embraer’s facilities in Brazil and includes main deck front cargo door; cargo handling system; floor reinforcement; Rigid Cargo Barrier (RCB) – 9G Barrier with access door; cargo smoke detection system, including class “E” extinguishers in upper cargo compartment; Air Management System changes (cooling, pressurisation, etc.); interior removal and provisions for hazardous material transportation.

The E190F can handle a payload of 23,600lb (10,700kg) while the E195F a payload of 27,100 lb (12,300 kg).

Dublin, Ireland, May 9, 2022

On Wednesday 27 April, Bestfly Worldwide received its first Embraer E-190 jet aircraft from ACIA Aero Leasing, painted in the colours of Bestfly Cabo Verde, where it will be registered.

Bestfly already operates three ATR 72-600 turboprop aircraft leased from the same lessor.

“The airline will take advantage of the versatility of the E-Jet, a Brazilian-built aircraft, to establish much-needed connectivity from Cabo Verde to West Africa and the Azores archipelago, an important connection point for flights to and from east coast of the United States of America, where many thousands of Cape Verdeans live”, it reads.

For Bestfly CEO Nuno Pereira, the delivery of this particular plane is very special for his company, as it is the first E-190 and the 25th aircraft in the service of Bestfly Worldwide.

The BestFly group, of Angolan origin, operates on several continents in the civil aviation sector and on July 5, 2021, it agreed to purchase 70% of the share capital of the Cape Verdean company Transportes Interilhas de Cabo Verde (TICV).

Source: Espresso das Ilhas