Today is one of the biggest in Embraer’s history. The company has every right to be very proud of their achievements, and the E2 is their most impressive project to date. But perhaps the most incredible item in the E2 story is this: they have not modified the original budget amount or timeline. The E2 is a lot more than a re-engine. Yet the company firmly is committed to getting the project done; three models each with a different wing, completed for $1.7bn. And all on time.
Today’s roll out is on time. But today’s roll out is also the official starting of the clock, so to speak. Once the aircraft is “out” and the tests are done in public, the program will be watched very carefully. Embraer has 13,000 hours of “iron bird” flights done. Much more are planned. The E2 has already completed its vibration tests.
The company has done an amazing job. But given the recent program performance by Airbus, Boeing and Bombardier, how confident are you they can stick to their budget and also stick to their timeline?
[poll id=”3″]
I think that taking into account the tardiness of their competitors especially Bombardier, and the results they are facing due to their late arrival they will be under the industry’s watchful eyes and fine toothed combination to deliver it on time. They have a lot on their hands, even if they have to lock their staff and crack the whip.
If they make it they will truly vaporize Bombardier.
The enlarged wing for the E-195 seems like a significant announcement – a very wise one for Embraer, but that adds to my worries for the CSeries. It will increase weight and fuel burn slightly, but the higher MTOW and longer range it enables significantly reduce the range advantage of the CSeries. That could tilt some future sales battles towards the efficiency of the E195-E2, where as the flexibility of the Cseries might otherwise have earned it the contract.
How can you compare this refresh to a clean sheet. Also CS300 beats E2 195 in range, casm, takeoff run, payload, EIS. So why is this such a big deal?
The E2 is much more than a refresh. They have new engines, a radical new wing (which looks suspiciously like that on the 787), updated flight deck and more advanced FBW. The cabin is also being tweaked. Maintenance costs are expected to be over 20% lower. It is a big deal.
In terms of CSeries, of which we have been fans since 2010, we are impressed with Embraer’s ability to set a budget and timeline and then stick to it. Can’t say that of Bombardier.
Yes the E2 is a big deal.