Company Watch - Embraer.

Nov 27, 2006

Embraer forecasts market shift to larger jets. Embraer is forecasting a demand for 7,500 jets in the 30/120-seat range over the next 20 years, a market valued at an estimated $220 billion. Of that number, only 1,400 aircraft will have 60 seats or fewer. The forecast maintains that the 30/60-seat segment has "reached maturity," but also indicates that those aircraft will continue to play an important role in both North America and Europe. At the same time, new markets for 50-seaters are expected to develop in China, Mexico and Russia, Embraer said. Nov 20, 2006

Embraer forecasts the demand for 61/90-seat aircraft will continue to grow, while the 91/120-seat segment will expand as well as airlines match capacity to market demand and replace aging fleets. The company said it expects to deliver 160-165 aircraft in 2007 and up to 205 in 2008, including 15-20 Phenom VLJs. Nov 20, 2006

Gol 737-800/ExcelAire Legacy 600 accident investigators released a report last week indicating that the Legacy pilots, who have been detained at a Rio de Janeiro hotel since the September collision, attempted to contact Brasilia air traffic control 19 times in the 8 min. prior to the crash without success. The report was translated from Portuguese by Newsday and indicates that ATC and the aircraft lost contact with each other repeatedly during the 54 min. before the collision but does not address accusations that the Legacy pilots shut off their radio and/or transponder. Ground radar lost contact with the smaller aircraft 18 min. prior to impact. A partial message from Brasilia ATC came through 3 min. before the crash and records showed the Legacy pilots attempted to call seven times before the crash, according to Newsday. Nov 21, 2006

In the Gol 737-800/ExcelAire Legacy 600 accident efforts to have the two Legacy pilots released continue. The head of the Brazilian government's investigation told Reuters that the pilots should be freed but that it was up to the courts. The International Federation of Air Line Pilots Assns. released a statement calling on Brazil "to expedite the conclusion of an independent technical investigation," saying that there "is no valid reason for the continued detention of the...pilots" and insisting that "Brazilian authorities immediately return" their passports. "Thus far, only contradictory facts, rumor and unsupported allegations have been forthcoming from Brazilian government officials," IFALPA said.

Nov 21, 2006

In the Gol 737-800/ExcelAire Legacy 600 accident report did not say if the Legacy was ordered to descend to 36,000 ft. from 37,000 ft., as some claimed initially. The aircraft collided at the higher altitude. A Brazilian air force spokesperson said that an analysis of the recordings had not been completed. Nov 21, 2006

Editor: Aram Gesar, eMail: [e-mail]

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Nov 13, 2006