More Details Revealed about New Embraer Jets

Embraer recently selected BMW DesignWorksUSA to design the interior for its planned very light jet (VLJ) and light jet, in addition to disclosing more defined development timelines for the common-platform twinjets. Embraer’s $2.75 million, Pratt & Whitney Canada PW617F-powered VLJ is expected to make its initial flight in the first quarter of 2007. First flight of the company’s $6.65 million, nine-seat P&WC PW535E-powered light jet is scheduled for the first half of 2008, with Brazilian and FAA approval expected by mid-2009. An Embraer spokesman told AIN that the two jets will receive names next month at the NBAA Convention. Additionally, the manufacturer plans to announce the airplanes’ avionics system at the show (widely believed to be the L-3 SmartDeck, but the Embraer spokesman said that no contracts had been signed at press time).