Brazil-based Eve Air Mobility, a subsidiary of aerospace manufacturing giant Embraer, on Wednesday announced that the country’s National Civil Aviation Agency (ANAC) released proposed airworthiness criteria for its EVE-100 model.

Obtaining airworthiness criteria—a milestone achieved by American eVTOL manufacturers Archer Aviation and Joby Aviation late last year—is a crucial step along the path to type certification. Eve’s criteria include ANAC’s proposed requirements for how the air taxi is designed and operated, as well as a few specifications the company would be left to determine.

The public will be able to comment on the proposed guidelines until mid-February. After that, ANAC will analyze the feedback and may make a few tweaks to the criteria before publishing Eve’s final certification basis.

“The opening for public comments contributes to the alignment of the certification basis within the industry and among different certification authorities,” said Luiz Valentini, chief technology officer of Eve. “This is in line with Eve’s path of having the vehicle type certificate issued by ANAC, as the primary certification authority, and validated by other authorities around the world, where the eVTOL will be operated.”

One of those authorities is the FAA, with which Eve formalized a type certificate validation earlier this year. The manufacturer said it is actively working toward concurrent validation, which would allow it to fly air taxis in the U.S. shortly after receiving the green light from ANAC.

Eve is in the process of securing the Brazilian regulator’s “special class category” type certificate. As is the case in the U.S., airworthiness criteria are one of the first steps in that process: They specify ANAC’s requirements for aircraft flight, operations, design, structures, power systems, and more.

Once the public has the opportunity to share feedback and the air taxi’s certification basis is finalized, Eve will switch gears to focus on means of compliance, another key step. These will outline how the manufacturer plans to demonstrate EVE-100 adheres to the airworthiness requirements from ANAC.

As of November, Eve is aiming to certify its design and launch flights for paying customers in 2026. The manufacturer expects the air taxi to fly worldwide, having agreed orders or launch partnerships with companies on six continents.

The 100 percent electric design is built to fly up to four passengers and a pilot on 60 sm (52 nm) air taxi routes in and around major cities. While it will be piloted at launch, Eve expects to convert to uncrewed operations in the future, which would free up the cabin for as many as six passengers.

The aircraft uses a lift-plus-cruise configuration, which means no moving parts during flight, unlike the tiltrotor designs of Archer, Joby, and other eVTOL manufacturers. Instead, fixed wings will carry it during cruise, while eight electric rotors and propellers handle the heavy vertical lifting. An electric pusher powered by dual electric motors will add redundant propulsion, as well as improved performance, safety, thrust, and operating costs, Eve says.

Electric propulsion helps keep the air taxi’s noise footprint low—up to 90 percent lower compared to equivalent rotorcraft, Eve claims. The company also says it will offer best-in-class prices for an eVTOL, with per-seat costs six times lower than helicopters.

Earlier this year, Eve and Embraer announced the site of Eve’s first eVTOL production facility in Taubaté, Brazil, where the company has begun assembling its first full-scale prototype. It’s expected to begin a test campaign next year. The firm has also announced several suppliers of components and systems as it ramps up development.

Wednesday’s news comes on the heels of a deal Eve agreed with UrbanX Air, a UAM subsidiary of Global Crossing Airlines Group formed last month. Per the agreement, the firms plan to launch electric air taxi flights across South Florida, including the Miami metro area, in 2026. The partnership follows an agreement with GlobalX, an airline operated by Global Crossing, for the purchase of 200 aircraft, with the first 10 deliveries expected that same year.

Elsewhere in the U.S., Eve plans to fly air taxi routes in San Francisco through an agreement with United Airlines. The manufacturer has further partnerships with Blade Urban Air Mobility to launch routes in South Florida, Republic Airways to fly over Northeast cities such as Boston, New York, and Washington, D.C., and SkyWest to roll out service nationwide.

Beyond those partnerships, Eve has orders and launch partners around the world, including in France, Scandinavia, Kenya, Australia, the United Arab Emirates, its home country Brazil, and elsewhere in Latin America.

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The approval clears the way for Epic to begin deliveries in the region, including those for a 34 aircraft order from Brazil-based charter and fractional operator Avantto. Epic announced that it had entered into a long-term partnership with Avantto, reportedly “one of the largest operators in the private aviation market in Latin America,” in August.

Deliveries are expected to take place over five years with the first two E1000 GX aircraft scheduled to arrive by the end of December. The aircraft will be joining the Avantto fleet as part of the company’s fractional program.

“Over the last four months, Epic Aircraft has worked closely with the Brazilian regulators to achieve ANAC certification of the E1000 GX,” said Epic Aircraft CEO Doug King. “This is a huge accomplishment in such a short time. We want to thank the FAA and ANAC for all their hard work. We are excited to launch our sales in Brazil and join Avantto in providing top-notch aviation solutions to the Latin American market.”

• READ MORE: We Fly: Epic Aircraft E1000 GX

The E1000 GX earned type certificate approval from the FAA in July 2021. Powered by the Pratt & Whitney Canada PT6A-67A engine, the model boasts a top cruise speed of 333 knots, 1,560 nm range, and full-fuel payload of 1,100 pounds. It comes equipped with a Garmin G1000 NXi avionics suite, Garmin GFC 700 automated flight control system, and a five-blade composite propeller from Hartzell.

Epic reported last week that the GX had received its flight into known icing (FIKI) certification from the FAA. According to the company, the FIKI modifications will be standard starting with the first aircraft delivered in 2024. Retrofit options will also be available for previously delivered certified aircraft, including the E1000 model.

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The company said the SkyCourier, which received FAA certification last year, “offers an unparalleled combination of performance, capacity, and capability.” The aircraft’s versatility makes it ideal for service in Brazil, where demand for air transport is growing and the geography can be challenging.

• READ MORE: Textron Aviation Delivers 1st Passenger Cessna SkyCourier

“The Cessna SkyCourier’s high payload capacity, short takeoff and landing capability, and cost efficiency make it a great choice for operators in Brazil,” said Lannie O’Bannion, Textron’s senior vice president, global sales and flight operations. “The aircraft’s versatility and performance equip customers in the region with smart solutions for their unique missions and circumstances.”

The SkyCourier is designed to serve remote locations and areas with limited infrastructure while performing missions ranging from passenger and cargo transport to special operations. The aircraft’s recently certified gravel kit option enhances its ability to operate from unimproved strips.

• READ MORE: Cessna SkyCourier Gains FAA Type Certification

The aircraft is powered by two Pratt & Whitney PT6A-65SC turboprop engines mounted on the wings and has a maximum cruise speed of more than 200 ktas. It can carry up to 19 passengers in its cabin, which can be reconfigured for cargo using quick-release seats and removable bulkheads. The aircraft has up to a 6,000-pound payload capacity.

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The system had received its certification under the FAA in August 2020, and under the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) in July 2021.

Some aircraft already delivered into Brazil with the feature dormant may have it activated for use, along with new entrants imported into the country following the certification.

“Receiving ANAC certification for the Vision Jet’s Safe Return is a tremendous milestone for our Brazilian owners and operators,” said Zean Nielsen, CEO of Cirrus Aircraft. “We are excited to continue offering this award-winning safety technology throughout the world.” 

• READ MORE: We Fly: Cirrus Vision Jet G2+

Cirrus has delivered more than 450 units of the SF50 to date, with 90 in 2022. Garmin International won the Robert J. Collier Trophy for Autoland in 2020, which has yet to be deployed in an actual emergency situation in any of its applications: the Piper M600/SLS Halo, the Daher TBM 940 and TBM 960, or the Vision Jet.

The post Cirrus Secures Brazilian Approval for Autoland System appeared first on FLYING Magazine.

The approval includes the 2-axis configuration as well as the 3-axis. The EASA certification follows existing approvals for the system from the UK CAA and Brazil’s ANAC, as well as an FAA supplemental type certificate (STC).

Moog-owned (NYSE: MOG.A) Genesys made the announcement in a news release Tuesday, confirming that customers can now place orders through Bell Textron, or with approved Genesys dealers for retrofitting. 

“The autopilot kit is useful for pilots because it improves safety and lightens the pilot’s workload,” said a statement from Genesys managing director for Europe, Duncan Van De Velde. “Any Bell 505 in the field in Europe can now be retrofitted with the Genesys system and we look forward to meeting the needs of our customers.”

• READ MORE: Genesys Adds 4th Axis Hover and Hold to Autopilot Series 

The versatile Bell 505 includes capacity for up to four passengers, a top cruise speed of 125 knots, a range of 306 nm, according to its manufacturer. It can be configured for HEMS missions, for corporate transport, or as a training aircraft. The Textron-owned (NYSE: TXT) company announced its 400th 505 delivery last month. 

Genesys Aerosystems has received full EASA certification approval for the HeliSAS Autopilot and Stability Augmentation System on the Bell 505 platform. The EASA approval covers both the 2-axis and 3-axis configurations.https://t.co/4QOPdtPrOP pic.twitter.com/ph25VWjiYs

— Genesys Aerosystems (@GenesysAero) September 12, 2022

System Features

The Genesys Aerosystems HeliSAS system includes:

• Automatic resumption of near-level flight attitude at all speeds
• Stability commitment during all phases of flight from start to shutdown
• Autopilot pitch control
• Altitude hold
• IAS hold
• VS hold
• GS autopilot roll control
• HDG hold
• NAV, LOC, VOR
• Optional yaw control
• Overspeed and underspeed protection

HeliSAS’s stability increase system is designed to be always active, according to the manufacturer. It will “return the helicopter to a neutral attitude simply by loosening the applied forces or simply letting go of the cyclic in the event that the pilot becomes incapacitated, spatially disoriented or loses visual references.”

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Approved in July as amendments to Brazilian Civil Aviation Regulations (RBAC) No. 1 and No. 21, the changes allow airplanes with up to four seats and a maximum takeoff weight (MTOW) of up to 1,361 kg (3,000 pounds) to be classified as LSAs. Electric motors are also allowed for propulsion under the new LSA regulations, as well as variable-pitch propellers.

• READ MORE: An Inside Look at Modern LSA Ownership

ANAC said the changes will be applied under the LSA category standards developed by the American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM) International).

The new regs also will reduce the cost for approval of new designs for LSAs compared to the type certification process, ANAC said, while maintaining acceptable safety standards. 

• READ MORE: Should You Buy an LSA?

Currently in the U.S., the FAA only allows LSAs with a top speed in level flight of 120 knots, two seats maximum, and MTOWs under 1,320 pounds—1,430 pounds for seaplanes.

Brazilian LSA Regs: Before and Now

The new regulations came after regulators conducted a survey last year to assess views from the public on advantages and disadvantages of LSAs compared to other categories—such as certified and amateur-built experimental aircraft.

The post Brazil Expands LSA Regs for Larger, Faster Aircraft appeared first on FLYING Magazine.

With a speed well-suited to its shiny new Mach number, the updated version of the Embraer Phenom 300E attained certification this week—and not just under FAA authority, but also with the blessing of EASA and Brazil’s ANAC.

Embraer Executive Jets reports that the new 300E met its goals with the intercontinental range extended to beat 2,000 miles—2,010 nm, in fact, at NBAA IFR reserves and 5 passengers—hitting a psychological milestone that Embraer feels will resonate with its customers. During a flight test conducted by Flying in early March, we witnessed the new high-speed cruise of 464 ktas at FL330 off the Florida coast, equivalent to Mach 0.80—another point of pride for the updated model.

A host of safety features have been added to the brains behind the instrument panel, with the most intriguing of these being the ROAAS, or runway overrun awareness and alerting system, targeted to advise the pilot when a potentially hazardous situation exists, and prompting a go-around.

The classy update marries style with efficiency—and brings a new sense of legroom to the flight deck with an almost 40-percent range increase to the pilot’s and co-pilot’s seat tracks. Operators will also like the single-point refueling port and externally serviceable lav, and passengers should enjoy the sophisticated Bossa Nova leather interior. Look for a feature including the full report in an upcoming issue of Flying.

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