Aviation

Embraer’s E-Freighter is Certified by the FAA

Embraer’s E190F freighter has officially been certified by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), marking a significant milestone for the company’s passenger-to-freighter conversion program.

In addition to the aircraft itself, the Cargo Loading System, developed by U.S. Cargo Systems, has also received FAA certification as of September 2024.

The Embraer freighter aircraft can now enter the American market without obstacles, potentially posing a threat to Boeing’s business in the freighter segment of the Boeing 737. Embraer is actively identifying potential opportunities in the cargo market, both in the U.S. and globally. Major cargo operators like FedEx, UPS, and DHL could enhance their operations with these aircraft in regional markets.

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Recently, Embraer gained access to the Chinese market, receiving approval from the Civil Aviation Administration of China (CAAC) for the E190-E2 and E195-E2 models. This marks a significant milestone in Embraer’s achievements and may encourage other countries to adopt these aircraft. In March 2022, Embraer announced its plans to enter the cargo market by offering conversions of E190 and E195 passenger aircraft into freighters.

These conversions are expected to make their first flights in 2024, with certification anticipated later that year. The E190F will have a payload capacity of 10,700 kg (23,600 lb), while the E195F will be able to carry 12,300 kg (27,100 lb). In May 2023, the company secured its first order for ten aircraft from lessor Nordic Aviation Capital, which will be delivered to Astral Aviation as the launch operator.

In addition to the aircraft, the Cargo Loading System developed by U.S. Cargo Systems received FAA certification in September 2024. This achievement follows the E-Freighter’s certification by Brazil’s National Civil Aviation Agency (ANAC) in July, with approval from the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) expected later this year.

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The E190F freighters will bring notable benefits to the air cargo market, boasting 40% more volume capacity than previous models, three times the range of large cargo turboprops, and up to 30% lower operating costs than larger narrow-body aircraft.

With a maximum structural payload of 13,500 kg when combining capacity under the floor and on the main deck, the E-Freighter is set to play a crucial role in meeting the increasing demand for regional cargo transport.

Aviation

Airbus Enhances A350 Cabin with 10-Abreast Seating

Airbus has announced a new partnership with Jiatai Aircraft Equipment, a Chinese aircraft seating manufacturer, to supply upgraded economy-class seats for the A350 widebody series.

This collaboration, unveiled at the 2024 Airshow China, focuses on developing a newly designed economy seat tailored for the A350‘s New Production Standard (NPS) cabin.

One of the key features of the NPS cabin is the ability to accommodate 17-inch wide economy seats, compared to the previous 16.5-inch wide seats that airlines were limited to in the A350’s earlier configurations.

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This change is made possible by the expanded space in the NPS cabin, which is 35 inches longer and 4 inches wider than the previous version. This extra space is achieved by slightly moving the cockpit wall forward and shifting the rear pressure bulkhead back by one frame.

The wider cabin allows airlines to add up to 30 extra economy seats without compromising comfort. For airlines opting for a 3-4-3 seating layout, the 17-inch wide seats are an excellent choice for a more comfortable passenger experience. However, some airlines, such as Iberia, may choose to retain a 9-abreast layout with wider seats for added comfort.

The NPS cabin also offers enhanced flexibility for airline operators. One major advantage is the ability to easily switch between a 9-abreast and 10-abreast seating configuration without requiring significant downtime for aircraft reconfiguration. Airlines can use the same seat rails, tracks, and IFE interfaces, making the transition smoother and quicker.

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In addition, the design of the floor attachments and air-conditioning systems has been optimized for 10-abreast seating, meaning airlines can upgrade their cabins without needing to make substantial modifications to the aircraft’s structure.

Though it’s still unclear when Jiatai’s economy-class seats will be officially added to the A350’s Buyer Furnished Equipment (BFE) catalogue, the collaboration marks a significant step toward enhancing the A350’s cabin offerings.

With this partnership, Airbus is providing more seating options for airlines, ensuring that they can meet diverse customer needs while improving overall operational efficiency.