Embraer has progressed in its KC-390 flight test program with the second and final flight test aircraft making its debut flight on April 28 from a remote part of Sau Paulo state at the Gaviao Paixoto airport in Brazil where Embraer develops, builds and tests military aircraft.
The first test aircraft also has begun testing the lowering and raising of the rear ramp in flight, said Embraer chief executive Frederico Fleury Curado. This aircraft has already opened and closed the cargo door and the paratroopers door.
“On the development side we’re very happy with where we are,” Curado said.
Embraer is also “optimistic” about the fate of the contract with the Brazilian Air Force, which calls for deliveries of 28 KC-390s beginning with the first three in 2018, Curado said.
The KC-390 program was put on hold in 2015 for several months when Embraer faced unpaid bills of US$300m. This issue has since been resolved.
As well as sales to the Brazilian Air Force, Embraer has commitments from five other countries for 32 aircraft, but these are not yet firm orders.
May 6, 2016
