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calling the E1 generation) will not
be replaced by a next-generation E2
equivalent, unlike the 75-seater E175,
90-seater E190 and 100-seater E195.
The E2, powered by the Pratt &
Whitney geared turbofan PW1700G
and PW1900G family of engines
(which also power the Airbus
A320neo, A220/former Bombardier
C Series, Mitsubishi MRJ and Irkut
MC-21), made an impressive airshow
passenger début at Farnborough in its
E190-E2 form. During the hour-long
media flight around the airshow, and
subsequent 45-minute wait on the
ground for appropriate stairs to be
found, the benefits of the new aircraft
were clear, even at reduced seat pitch,
with Embraer showing off a range of
pitches from 29 to 34in at the 18in
seat width enabled by the relatively class seating in a 1-2 layout, particularly It feels deeply bizarre to see the larger 81-92-seater MRJ90, made
wide E-Jet cabin. given the lack of middle seats and the Airbus livery on what was a its airshow début with a slick and
The biggest success in the segment wider E-Jet fuselage. Bombardier airframe. mark jessop workmanlike demonstration on the
at the show was from Embraer, which The E175-E2, however, does not fit first trade day of the show, only to
unveiled orders from six airlines for into the existing scope clauses (nor do receive damage to the nose radome
some 300 frames of its E-Jet aircraft, the larger E-Jets of either generation) during ground movement by local
both in the E1 and E2 generation largely because of the extra weight handlers. Following a day off while
models. from the PW1700G engines compared damage was assessed and repairs
Embraer released this substantial with the existing generation General made, the aircraft performed its
mass of orders in a big bang press Electric CF34-8E. demonstration again, but Mitsubishi
conference at Farnborough, where Republic’s agreement with Heavy Industries would have been
the largest order highlighted one of Embraer, however, allows the airline hoping for a less dramatic way to
the issues to be resolved with the to convert its E175-E1s into the more demonstrate the robustness and ease
E2 generation. US regional airline efficient E175-E2s if agreement can be of repair for its much-beleaguered,
Republic, the biggest E-Jet E1 made with the pilot unions. The smart much-delayed jet.
operator, which flies missions for all money is not on this agreement being In a presentation, the company
three of the major US network carriers swiftly or easily secured. took pains to highlight its ongoing
under their umbrella regional brands Enter the Mitsubishi MRJ, where reorganisation and efficiency drives,
American Eagle, Delta Connection only the smaller 69-80-seater MRJ70 with deliveries planned to start by the
and United Express, ordered some is currently compliant with the middle of 2020.
two-thirds of the total Embraer scope clauses, and the re-energised At the other end of the regional jet
Farnborough sum, with 100 firm Bombardier CRJ-900. Embraer’s E2 is on the prowl for market sits the former Bombardier
orders and 100 options. Mitsubishi’s launch MRJ version, new orders. embraer C Series, freshly-painted in its new
The headline model was the E175,
which it currently flies extensively.
This aircraft complies with what
are known as the “scope clauses”,
agreements between the largest US
airlines and their pilot unions. The
clauses cover the number, maximum
takeoff weight and passenger capacity
of what were previously thought of
as regional jets, but which are now
operated in two-class configurations
alongside or in place of larger airliners
on many routes. All three airlines are
capped at 76 seats and a maximum
takeoff weight of 39 tonnes or
86,000lb.
These scope clauses are relatively
restrictive, and constrain the larger
airlines from offloading flying onto
their lower-cost subsidiary carriers and
contractor airlines like Republic. One
result has been that the E-Jets have
been relatively spaciously outfitted in
terms of extra-legroom rows and first
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