Latin American aerospace news and aircraft projects

MiG-29SMT

New Member
Joined
Jan 12, 2020
Messages
4,124
Likes
5,108
Country flag
CNN —
One man’s loss is another man’s gain, goes the saying – and as Boeing seems caught in a spiral of bad news, one aircraft manufacturer is quietly powering ahead.

Brazilian manufacturer Embraer, which specializes in smaller narrow-body passenger jets, has been clocking up major announcements, and will soon comprise the entire regional fleet of American Airlines.



And now, rumor has it that the company might be setting its sights even higher. A Wall Street Journal report last week suggested that Embraer – currently the world’s third largest aircraft manufacturer – was planning a new narrow-body jet that could “compete head-on” with the Airbus A320neo and Boeing 737 Max, which have cornered the global market.

Embraer has denied the reports. Yet the company’s star is certainly on the rise.

On May 2, Embraer delivered its 1,800th E-Jet aircraft: an E190-E2, to Royal Jordanian Airlines. Five days later, Singapore-based Scoot Airlines took delivery of its first Embraer: another E190-E2, the quietest and most fuel-efficient single-aisle jet on the market.

Even in the US, where Boeing has traditionally ruled the roost, Embraer has been making waves.





On March 26, United announced a refurb of its Embraer E175 fleet to add larger overhead bins on its Skywest-operated planes. The move will increase storage space by 80%. Skywest is the world’s largest operator of Embraer’s E175 aircraft.

Then there’s American Airlines, which announced the purchase of 90 E175 aircraft in March, making AA’s entire regional fleet Embraer by the end of the decade.

The love-in continued in April, when CEO Robert Isom praised the Brazilian company during a quarterly call. “The rest of the industry… can learn a lot from them,” he said, while also delivering a public rebuke to Boeing to, “Get your act together.”
It’s almost as if as Boeing’s star continues to fall, Embraer’s continues to rise. But can it go even bigger – and turn the “Big Two” of the skies into a “Big Three?”

To do so would require coming up with a new, larger aircraft to rival the 737MAX and the A320. At the moment, Embraer aircraft carry a maximum of 146 passengers, compared to the MAX’s minimum 172. It’d also mean scaling up – Embraer delivered 181 jets in 2023, of which 64 were commercial aircraft. Before the pandemic, it was delivering around 90 commercial aircraft per year.

Yet as Boeing struggles to regain public trust, experts say there’s room for someone else to grab a place in the market.

“The door is open a little for a [Boeing] 737 replacement,” says Robert van der Linden, curator of air transportation at the National Air and Space Museum. Although he notes that it could close again “quickly,” and that debuting a new aircraft is a colossal task for manufacturers, he believes that Embraer might uniquely be capable of making headway in the aviation market – it already has the contacts and reputation.

Rodrigo Silva e Souza, Embraer’s VP of marketing who’s responsible for strategic planning, doesn’t deny that he’s looking at potential options, but says, “That’s my job.”

“Designing, producing and delivering high-quality, highly reliable products is in our DNA, and I think that’s bringing some contrasts with what we’re seeing with other players,” he says, carefully.

But he tells CNN that aircraft take at least a decade to design and build, so while the current gap looks promising, they won’t be jumping in feet-first.

“Designing an aircraft takes 10 years, and in 10 years from now the situation is completely different.

“If someone had designed this before, they could be jumping in now, but you don’t decide to make a new aircraft and have it ready next year,” he says.

So could Embraer muscle its way to the top? It’s made it against the odds so far.

A storied background
For an aircraft manufacturer with such a toehold in the US market, Embraer’s origins might come as a surprise.

Based in São José dos Campos, in the state of São Paulo, the company was founded in 1969 by the Brazilian government – its name is a portmanteau of Empresa Brasileira de Aeronáutica (Aeronautics Corporation of Brazil) – on the back of the development of the Bandeirante, a twin-turboprop aircraft.

Initially used for the Brazilian military, the Bandeirante entered commercial service in 1972. With 15-21 seats, it was aimed at “commuter companies,” says Alvaro Romero, a Chilean aviation historian.

NANCHANG, CHINA - JANUARY 28: China's first homegrown large jetliner C919 lands at Nanchang Changbei International Airport as it makes its first flight in the Chinese Lunar New Year on January 28, 2023 in Nanchang, Jiangxi Province of China. (Photo by Ma Yue/VCG via Getty Images)

The company was privatized in 1994, and went public on the stock market in 2000. By that time, says van der Linden, it had already cracked the US.

“They found a very comfortable niche market for regional jets,” he says.

“It was very wise not to compete directly with Boeing and Airbus. Try and break into an oligopoly and chances are you’re going to get squashed.

“Regional jets carry anything from 35 to almost 150 passengers and Embraer grabbed hold of that market.”

In the regional market, Embraer’s primary competitor was Canada’s Bombardier, which sold its commercial manufacturing arm to Airbus in 2020.

In fact, Embraer nearly made a similar deal with Boeing in 2019, when the US giant signed up to take an 80% stake in the Brazilian company’s commercial division – before reneging on the deal in 2020. You could call it Embraer’s lucky escape.

Now, says Silva e Souza, Embraer’s main rival is Airbus itself.

Ahead of the competition
Embraer's commercial jets are made at its two facilities in the state of São Paulo.

Embraer's commercial jets are made at its two facilities in the state of São Paulo.
Adrien Daste
So how has Embraer succeeded where others have failed? For van der Linden, Brazil was far-sighted. “As early as the 1940s, the Brazilian government was interested in establishing aviation and aerospace manufacturing,” he says. Government backing meant that Embraer had money to produce quality planes from the outset. “It developed a very well-deserved reputation,” he says.

For aero historian Mario Overall, a member of the Latin American Aviation Historical Society, Embraer is an “exceptional” company. He puts that global success down to several factors, from its diverse portfolio (Embraer still makes military airplanes and private jets) to its designs, export strategy and outsourcing supply, keeping costs down. “Its versatility has enabled Embraer to cater to a wide range of customers,” he says. Yet he calls taking on Boeing a “daunting” process and doesn’t believe it’ll develop a larger narrowbody.

Legions of fans
Embraer 170

The 'reliability, efficiency and passenger appeal' makes Embraer aircraft a hit with LOT passengers.
Kamil Wrzosek
With major US carriers operating small planes on regional routes, Embraer’s focus on sub-200 passenger planes – its largest, the E195, has a maximum capacity of 146 seats – is a perfect fit for the US market. They’re also used on less-trafficked routes in Latin America and Europe, as well as at difficult airports. At London City, which requires a steep 5.5 degree approach for the short runway, 85% of the aircraft are Embraers.

And while, by the numbers, AA and United are its top clients, Embraer’s biggest airline fan is perhaps LOT Polish Airlines, where 43 of its 75-strong fleet are Embraers (this week, it announced another three).

“These aircraft have been instrumental in our strategy to expand our network, allowing us to confidently launch new routes, even to destinations with initially lower demand. The Embraer fleet’s reliability, efficiency, and passenger appeal make them indispensable,” says LOT spokesperson Krzysztof Moczulski.

It’s not just airlines; plenty of frequent flyers have a crush, too.

“In Europe, it’s the best way to fly economy,” says Koen Berghuis of the 82-seater ERJ-175, which he flies on regularly with LOT.

“You have so much legroom, shoulder room, and some airlines have really comfortable seating. You don’t feel like you’re in a sardine can, which I feel on the Boeing 737 MAX. But the 2-2 configuration is the main benefit,” says Berghuis, editor-in-chief of travel blog Paliparan.

That’s right – the dreaded middle seat simply doesn’t exist. In first class on American and United, Embraer goes one better – it’s a 1-2 configuration. The smaller jets even have 1-2 in economy, too.




“It’s really pleasant to fly on – it has really big windows that mean loads of cabin light,” he says (van der Linden compares the windows of a bijou Embraer to those on a Boeing 787 Dreamliner).

“They feel like mainline jets inside, but have the operational benefits of a regional jet,” Lucas says of Embraer’s E-jet range. “They probably should get more of a profile.”

For him, a key reason why Embraer doesn’t get the same hype as the Big Two is that it’s Brazilian.

“In the US, Boeing is a flagship company – Americans were proud of it until recently. And Airbus is pan-European,” he says.

“Then there’s Embraer.”

Harvesting while Boeing spirals?
Embraer says its focus is on the future Energia family powered by sustainable methods.
Courtesy Embraer
As Boeing spirals, is there a chance for Embraer to break through?

Silva e Souza says that the company’s current focus is the Energia project, which aims to develop 30-seater hybrid-electric aircraft by 2030, slashing the aircraft carbon emissions by 30% (90% if using SAF). A hydrogen-fuel-cell version is planned for 2035, with a 50-seater scheduled for 2040.

He also predicts an untapped market for small, sustainable planes to replace long drives.

And while he insists that the company is concentrating on “harvesting” following “10-15 years of very strong development” – he’s not denying that they’re eyeing all options.

At the Dubai Airshow in November, he hinted that the company was scanning markets such as the Middle East, where it says that only 16% of flights are full – meaning smaller aircraft could make certain routes more profitable. Meanwhile the company’s 2023 Market Outlook report suggests that “the future lies in the middle” – which Silva e Souza defines as 100-150 seats.

Space in the middle?
Embraer passenger aircraft are known for their large windows and absence of the dreaded middle seat.
Antonio Di Ciommko
Could that “middle” get a little bigger, though? The troubled Boeing MAX starts at 172 seats – not far off Embraer’s E2-195, which seats 146.

The only other potential competitor is Comac’s C919, currently only certified to operate in China. Silva e Souza believes that Chinese-made aircraft will make it into the global market, but “it’ll take a long time.”

He doesn’t deny that Embraer is monitoring the market, however. “We speak to investors. We keep looking: smaller, bigger, commercial, defense – for each we talk to partners who will help build the business case. But we’ve done nothing specifically on the [MAX rival].

“We’re confident in our capabilities. But it’s very different taking decisions on the current situation for a product that will come 10 years from now.”

If they did take the plunge, they have an army of fans waiting to take flight.

 

MiG-29SMT

New Member
Joined
Jan 12, 2020
Messages
4,124
Likes
5,108
Country flag
FIRST DOOR GLOBAL AIRCRAFT 7000-8000 LATECOERE
of many of this type that will be assembled in Hermosillo by Sonoran hands, by Aeroestructuras Latecoere plant workers in Hermosillo
Our talent and quality fly around the world
1715405674514.png

1715405821677.png

1715405909647.png


1715405937498.png



 

MiG-29SMT

New Member
Joined
Jan 12, 2020
Messages
4,124
Likes
5,108
Country flag
Aernnova Mexico


INTEGRAL CAPACITIES & CAPABILITIES



Aernnova opened Aernnova Mexico in 2008 for the manufacturing of metallic components and the assembly of large complex aerostructures, with the aim of providing better access to the North American market and improved cost competiveness within the dollar area

1715406286567.png


  • King Air , Baron & Bonanza Beechcraft Textron Aviation

    King Air , Baron & Bonanza
    Beechcraft Textron Aviation
    Build to Print
    • Complete Equipped Wings. Project finalized in 2015.

  • 505 Jet Ranger X Bell Helicopter

    505 Jet Ranger X
    Bell Helicopter
    Build to Print
    • Floor assembly
    • Mid-Cabin assembly
    • Forward Fuselage assembly
  • 1715406357042.png
  • 1715406377530.png
  • 1715406803765.png
  • CRJ 700-900-1000 Bombardier

    CRJ 700-900-1000
    Bombardier
    Design & Build
    • Horizontal stabilizer
    • Vertical stabilizer
    • Elevators
  • S-92/H-92 Sikorsky

    S-92/H-92
    Sikorsky
    Design & Build
    • Rear Fuselage (ATT) & Aft Transition Tailcone
    • Horizontal Stabilizer
    • Engine Cowlings & Main Rotor Pylon (composites)
    • Cargo ramp
    • Systems: Electric, hydraulics and actuators

 
Last edited:

MiG-29SMT

New Member
Joined
Jan 12, 2020
Messages
4,124
Likes
5,108
Country flag
QUERETARO - ITP Aero Mexico celebrates 25 years in Queretaro, moving from maintenance to aerospace manufacturing, investing US$26.4 million in the last three years, and planning to expand its team to 1,000 employees this year.

The Governor of Queretaro, Mauricio Kuri Gonzalez, emphasized the importance of Queretaro as a center of innovation and technological development in the aerospace sector during the celebration of the 25th anniversary of ITP Aero Mexico, a company of Spanish origin in constant growth.

ITP Aero Mexico, which began offering engine maintenance services, has evolved to include aeronautical turbine component design and manufacturing capabilities.

Governor Kuri González emphasized that ITP Aero's presence in the state contributes to making Querétaro an attractive destination for promoting and retaining investment.

Kuri González emphasized that the state has the best businessmen, entrepreneurs and workers in Mexico, which positions it as a national benchmark. He also underscored the peaceful labor environment in Querétaro, with 27 years without strikes in the private sector, which is largely due to a productive and understanding labor sector.

Regarding the actions taken to attract more business partners, Kuri González emphasized the training of the best talent in the region, which has led the Mexican Institute for Competitiveness (IMCO) to rank the state as the second most competitive economy in the country, displacing Nuevo León and Jalisco.

El director de ITP Aero México, Txomin Crespo Domínguez, destacó el papel de la compañía como referente mundial en el diseño y fabricación de motores y componentes aeroespaciales.

ITP Aero's CEO, Carlos Alzola Elizondo, described the establishment of the company in Querétaro in 1998 as a success. Querétaro's potential in the aerospace industry has been reflected in the plant's growth, which has created more and better jobs for the region's inhabitants.

The event marked a milestone in the relationship between Queretaro and the aerospace industry, highlighting the importance of innovation and technological development in the state, boosting its position as a key center in the sector worldwide.


ITP Aero's Queretaro (Mexico) site has been recognised as " Supplier with the Most Improvement" in 2023 at Honeywell's Supplier Summit held in Chihuahua. This recognition highlights ITP Aero's ability to increase the production volume of HTF7000 engine components from 220 sets in 2022 to 340 sets in 2023, surpassing the annual delivery record prior to the pandemic.

ITP Aero has been a risk and revenue sharing partner (RRSP) of Honeywell's HTF7000 programme since 1999, and has been extending its participation to all applications of the HTF7000 engine family, which currently power aircraft from Bombardier, Gulfstream, Embraer and Cessna. This engine family has surpassed 9 million flight hours and 3,200 production engines delivered.

ITP Aero is responsible for the manufacture of LPT (Low Pressure Turbine) static parts and tubes. In addition, it has performed engineering services in design, analysis, drafting, controls, RM&S, software and test work required for the development of the HTF7000 engine from its centres in Spain, the UK and Mexico.

This recognition from Honeywell is the perfect end to a year marked by the 25th anniversary of the ITP Aero plant in Querétaro (Mexico), which during this quarter of a century has evolved from offering engine maintenance services to having design and manufacturing capabilities for aeronautical turbine components, with more than 1,000 staff.

1715407737876.png
 

MiG-29SMT

New Member
Joined
Jan 12, 2020
Messages
4,124
Likes
5,108
Country flag
Industry Week has chosen Cessna Aircraft’s Mexico factory as its 2014 Best Plants winner. Industry Week notes that the factory completed more than 250 continuous improvement practices, or “kaizens,” and has solved crucial problems in complex processes. Cessna has also simplified the machining..

1715467305414.png

1715467383874.png


1715467817975.png


1715467865600.png


1715467422882.png

BELL MEXICO DELIVERS 800TH COMMERCIAL AIRCRAFT CABIN

April 11, 2024

The Bell team delivered the cabin to Bell Canada Assembly Center for final assembly
1715467662928.png


 
Last edited:

MiG-29SMT

New Member
Joined
Jan 12, 2020
Messages
4,124
Likes
5,108
Country flag

GKN Aerospace is adding 80,000 sq ft to its Chihuahua, Mexico facility to support its growing advanced complex composite aerostructures business, the company announced yesterday.
Slated to be completed by the end of the year, the expansion is anticipated to result in 100 new jobs.
In addition to strengthening GKN’s presence in Mexico, the aerospace supplier said it will also foster its partnerships and growth strategy with its business aviation customers. The Chihuahua facility supplies composite and metal structures and provides special processes and engineering services for customers including Airbus, Gulfstream, and Honda Aircraft. It is among three facilities GKN operates in Mexico.
“We are proud to partner with the government of Chihuahua on this project, which will not only support GKN Aerospace’s growth strategy but create jobs and prosperity in the local aerospace supply base,” said Mauricio Herrera Murillo, site director for GKN Aerospace in Chihuahua.
 

MiG-29SMT

New Member
Joined
Jan 12, 2020
Messages
4,124
Likes
5,108
Country flag
1715654598053.png

Since 2020, the complete plane has been manufactured in Tijuana, by Mexican hands, which is a source of pride, since the company decided to bring its operations from Asia and California to this border. “Today, it is the only plant in Mexico where, under one roof, a complete aircraft is manufactured, which was recognized by FAMEX.

The Icon A5 is a sports airplane designed to enjoy daily adventure, being able to land or moor wherever the owner wants.
The model, with capacity for one pilot and one companion, is not designed for commercial flights, but for the sporting adventure of flying, and that includes the removable side windows (they can be easily removed with one hand and stored in the luggage area), to fly with the windows open. It is made of carbon fiber, for greater lightness and hardness.

With the engine located at the rear and a low instrument panel, the panoramic roof allows you to see the world in a new dimension.

For safe flight, the A5 is available with the Garmin Aera 796 removable GPS or the Garmin G3X Touch flight display. These touchscreens have customizable display modes, 3D terrain views, moving maps with section markings, secondary instrument clusters, and flight planning systems. ADS-B Out comes standard and ADS-B In is also available as an option
1715654748776.png


1715654820074.png



 

MiG-29SMT

New Member
Joined
Jan 12, 2020
Messages
4,124
Likes
5,108
Country flag
ABOUT US
Gulfstream Mexicali company dedicated to the manufacturing and manufacturing of components for all Gulfstream models. We are the global standard in the aviation industry.
1715814394711.png

Our value is Integrity
1715813718204.png



Randy Brown Tapped As VP, GM For Gulfstream Mexicali Site
Former Senior Production Manager At Savannah Headquarters

Gulfstream has promoted Randy Brown to vice president and general manager of its Mexicali site. Mexicali, with more than 1,000 employees, makes wiring harnesses, sheet metal components, sub-assemblies and machined parts that are used in the manufacturing process.

1715814004295.png


1715814025904.png

 
Last edited:

MiG-29SMT

New Member
Joined
Jan 12, 2020
Messages
4,124
Likes
5,108
Country flag
The implementation of the pilot project began with the introductory workshop to ISO 50001:2011 in October 2015. The companies then conducted energy audits to identify and prioritize various opportunities for improvement, under the guidance of Mexican consultants with expertise in energy efficiency.
The company Safran Landing System México S.A. de C.V., formerly known as Messier-Dowty Mexico, S.A. de C.V., located in the city of Queretaro and specializing in the manufacture of structural components for landing gear, identified the heat treatment furnace used in the tempering process for the semi-finished product as a Significant Energy Use (SEU).
1715823141627.png

Due to operating conditions, the furnace in question functioned on average at 67.5% of its capacity.
1715823170352.png


1715823199967.png

1715823833636.png


1715823704036.png

Unveiled in 2010 in Querétaro, the Safran Landing Systems site produces landing gear components for the Airbus A320 and Boeing 787 Dreamliner programs. The site's main activities are machining, non-destructive testing, heat treatments and painting. Safran Landing Systems has a second site in Querétaro, which specializes in the maintenance, repair and overhaul of landing gears.
1715823771904.png

 
Last edited:

MiG-29SMT

New Member
Joined
Jan 12, 2020
Messages
4,124
Likes
5,108
Country flag
Did you know Safran has a significant presence in the Mexican aerospace market? That's right ! Safran Electrical & Power has built the largest aircraft wiring plant in the world near the city of Chihuahua. Comprised of 4 production units, the site designs and produces 95% of the wiring used on the Boeing 787 Dreamliner and produces 75% of the wiring on the Airbus A380, the world's biggest jetliner. Find out what characteristics make this industrial site unique in the world!
1715824085381.png

1715824133368.png

1715824240806.png

 

MiG-29SMT

New Member
Joined
Jan 12, 2020
Messages
4,124
Likes
5,108
Country flag

MiG-29SMT

New Member
Joined
Jan 12, 2020
Messages
4,124
Likes
5,108
Country flag

old news
1715828671785.png

1715828707020.png

Madrid (Colombia), September 30 (Colombia.inn). Image, Ángel Núñez.- The Brazilian manufacturer Embraer will grant the first certification to modernize the Tucano T-27 military aircraft to Colombia, a country that will be a pioneer in this task after demonstrating its technical capacity and exceeding the 80,000 regulatory flight hours. The certification will be received in the coming months by the Colombian Aeronautical Industry Corporation (CIAC), which is committed to renew the 14 Tucano that the Nation purchased for 40 million dollars in 1992 from Embraer for the training of pilots of the Force. Air and that have already been adapted to carry weapons. "The process, which lasts four months in each aircraft, consists of the change in the avionics, the implementation of screens in the cabins and the transformation of the wings," Colonel Campo Elías explained to Colombia.inn, an agency operated by Efe. Ruales Morillo, CIAC maintenance advisor.
 

MiG-29SMT

New Member
Joined
Jan 12, 2020
Messages
4,124
Likes
5,108
Country flag


Light Agricultural Aircraft certified by Civil Aeronautics of Colombia for aerial spraying.
WA500-AG - Light Agricultural Aircraft (2024) made and designed in Colombia


1715849377512.png


1715849398604.png


1715849437946.png



1715849476001.png
 

MiG-29SMT

New Member
Joined
Jan 12, 2020
Messages
4,124
Likes
5,108
Country flag
1715849724348.png

1715849771454.png

Tayrona made and designed by WACSA from Colombia
World Aircraft Company South America (WACSA) represents the accumulation of more than 5 decades in the design, manufacture and marketing of light aircraft.

The performance and quality of our products is reflected in the more than 500 aircraft (including gyroplanes, rotary wing, high wing and low wing) that have flown the skies of the world… This is our history:


 

MiG-29SMT

New Member
Joined
Jan 12, 2020
Messages
4,124
Likes
5,108
Country flag

The Spanish government has given its approval for the acquisition of 27 high-performance Sirtap drones from Airbus, at an estimated cost of 595 million euros. This historic agreement marks the initiation of the production of a Spanish-designed drone intended for the Spanish Armed Forces, in collaboration with Colombia. Both countries plan to replace the last generation of Israeli-made drones with the latest ones, as previously reported by the Air Recognition team on April 25, 2023.
1715898362667.png

 

MiG-29SMT

New Member
Joined
Jan 12, 2020
Messages
4,124
Likes
5,108
Country flag
1715910169691.png

Brazilian engine and aircraft manufacturer TUPAN says their engine’se most important application is cargo transportation. Tupan is an aeronautical company specialized in HSVSTOL (High Speed, Vertical and Short Take Off and Landing) aircraft. Tupan works with another fellow Brazilian company Turbomachine which provides the engines for Tupan's UAVs.


1715910309892.png
 

MiG-29SMT

New Member
Joined
Jan 12, 2020
Messages
4,124
Likes
5,108
Country flag
1715910511279.png

1715910595535.png

1715910634695.png

1715910692324.png

Turbomachine, a company focused on research, innovation and development of gas turbine engines, is exclusively responsible for the development and production of the propellants for the CABURE Unmanned Aerial Vehicle.

An innovative high-speed aircraft, *HSVTOL, capable of vertical takeoff and landing

1715910855743.png

 

Articles

Top