PAUL LEWIS / WASHINGTON DC
Launch customer Swiss voices concerns about ability to land at London City Airport
Embraer has mapped out a plan for a follow-on flight test and certification of its 170 regional jet modified with a ventral airbrake for steep approach landings. The move comes in response to concerns on the part of launch customer Swiss International Air Lines about the ability of the new 70-seat aircraft to operate at London City Airport.
"We had said we would do our best to get away from having to fit the speedbrake because of weight and cost, but are now going to need it for steep approaches. We will do London City specific testing on the aircraft further down the road, but our position today is that we'll be able to land there and take off," says Luis Carlos Affonso, Embraer 170 programme manager.
The 170 remains on target to meet a maximum take-off weight (MTOW) goal of 35,990kg (79,340lb) in the standard configuration and 37,200kg for the long-range version ordered by Swiss. The addition of a speedbrake to the wing/fuselage fairing will add around 100kg. It is needed to increase drag and maintain an approach speed of 119kt (220km/h). London City requires a 5.5í angle of approach and the aircraft needs to demonstrate up to 7.5í compared to a more conventional 3í angle.
Lugano is another Swiss destination and although the airport does not strictly constitute a steep approach, aircraft with steep-approach capabilities have a major advantage in being able to avoid obstacles before intercepting the glidescope. It is unclear how many of Swiss's planned fleet of 30 170s will be equipped with the airbrake, but it will not be a feature on the airline's larger 108-seat 195.
Embraer hopes to have an operational certificate for the speedbrake a year after the 170 receives airworthiness approval. Brazilian CTA certification is due next April and from Europe's Joint Aviation Authorities in June. The company says it will be ready to deliver the first aircraft in July, but Swiss is not asking for its first aircraft before September.
Meanwhile, manufacture of the first 78-seat 175 is under way and it is due to fly next June. Recent delays with 170 avionics and fly-by-wire software have not affected the 175 and 195 with certification on schedule for mid- and end of 2004 respectively.
Source: Flight International
