Embraer plans to start assembly of the first wing for the E195-E2 airliner in the next few days as the Brazilian company continues to target installation of the newly designed airfoil on the first of the flight-test program’s two airplanes by the end of the year. Schedules call for first flight of the 144-seat narrowbody in the second half of 2017, in time for entry into service in 2019.
Assembled at Embraer’s main factory in São Jose dos Campos, Brazil, the wing includes wing spars and skins manufactured at the company’s Evora plant in Portugal. It is the largest of the three different wing designs conceived for the three E2 models. This past February Embraer decided to add 1.4 meters (4.6 feet) of wingspan, thereby increasing aspect ratio, improving lift-to-drag ratio and increasing maximum takeoff weight by 4,400 pounds. The original plan had involved two models of wing—one for the E175-E2 and the other for the E190/195-E2—using new automated technology on the same robotic station.
The changes extend range by 450 nautical miles at sea-level starts and as much as 290 nautical miles in hot and high conditions. For example, the new wing would add 250 nautical miles to the previous 1,700 nautical mile range from Denver. The company now lists the 195-E2’s range at 2,450 nautical miles.