Third E190-E2 is in the air

Another Embraer E190-E2, serial number 20.003, took off on its maiden flight on August 27, from the company's facility in São José dos Campos. The new E-Jet is the third of four prototypes to join the E190-E2 certification program. Prototype 20.003 will be used primarily to test flying qualities and evaluate how the aircraft handles in icing conditions. The first E190-E2 prototype aircraft, serial number 20.001, is currently conducting tests on systems, loads, aero-elasticity, external noise and handling in crosswinds. It first flew on May 23 of this year and made its international début at the Farnborough Air Show in London in mid-July. The second E190-E2 prototype, serial number 20.002, made its inaugural flight on July 8. It is used to test systems and general aircraft performance. These two prototypes have accumulated more than 150 flight hours. The fourth prototype, serial number 20.004 is scheduled to take flight by early next year. It will feature a production-series, full-cabin interior and will measure comfort and internal noise levels, and be used to conduct specific tests, such as cabin evacuation. In addition to the flight test campaign, the E190-E2 certification program has accumulated almost 21,000 hours of tests on rigs and the iron bird, and many hours of simulations on the virtual aircraft. The E190-E2 is scheduled to enter service in the first half of 2018.