Photograph:
Embraer ERJ 135LR VH-JZG (c/n 145-713) of Jetgo at Albion Park, NSW in January 2018 (David C Eyre)
Country of origin:
Brazil
Description:
Commercial airliner and executive jet
Power Plant:
Two 7,040 lbst Rolls Royce Allison / AE3007-A1/3 turbofans
Specifications:
- Wingspan: 20.04 m (65 ft 7 in)
- Length: 26.33 m (86 ft 4 in)
- Height: 6.71 m (22 ft)
- Wing area: 51.2 m² (551 sq ft)
- Cruising speed: 833 km/h (518 mph)
- Service ceiling: 11,278 m (37,000 ft)
- Max operating altitude: 11,300 m (37,073 ft)
- Range with max payload: 3,100 km (1,926 miles)
- Take-off field length: 1,650 m (5,413 ft)
- Landing field length: 1,360 m (4,462 ft)
- Fuel capacity: 6,480 litres (1,425 Imp gals)
- Empty weight: 11,420 kg (25,176 lb)
- Max payload weight: 4,500 kg (98,921 lb)
- Loaded weight: 20,000 kg (44,091 lb)
History:
The Embraer ERJ 135 program was launched on 26 September 1997 and the prototype made its first flight from the manufacturer’s base at Sao Jose do Campos, Brazil, on 4 July 1998, the Company at that time holding orders for 73 aircraft plus options on a further 122. The prototype PT-ZJA (c/n 145-001) made its public debut at the Farnborough Air Show that year.
The ERJ 135 was a derivative of the ERJ 145 with the fuselage shortened to reduce capacity to 37 passengers. Embraer claimed operating economics with the turbofan-powered aircraft, which could compare with those of a turboprop. The reduction in length of the fuselage over the ERJ 145 was 3.5 m (11 ft 6 in). The Company sold the type at a competitive price, the same spares stock covering both models, and pilot rating for both types was common. Although marketed as the ERJ 135 for certification purposes, it was referred to as the ERJ 145 Model 135, the Legacy 600 being the name of the executive jet model. Much of the aircraft’s testing took place at Moses Lake, Washington, USA.
Power was provided by two Rolls Royce / Allison AE-3007 turbofans. As a commercial airliner it was available in two models, the LR and the ER, the latter having an additional fuel tank increasing range from 2,205 km (1,370 miles) to 2,925 km (1,818 miles).
Early operators were Continental Express and American Eagle in the United States. Production commenced in July 1999 at a rate of three per month.
Accommodation was provided for 37 in three-abreast seating. Fuel capacity was 4,173 kg (9,201 lb). The aircraft cruised at Mach 0.78 over 2,502 km (1,555 miles) from a take-off length of 1,650 m (5,410 ft), reaching a cruising altitude of 10,668 m (35,000 ft) in 23 minutes.
Launch customer was Flandre Air, a French regional airline, with an order for eight with options on a further 12. Wexford Management, a leasing company, also ordered 20 with options on a further 20.
Further development of the series resulted in three models, the 37-seat ERJ 135, the 44-seat ERJ 140 and the 50-seat ERJ 145. The corporate model was the ERJ 145BJ, which later became the Legacy 600, the first of which flew on 31 March 2001. Structure was conventional, basic structure being aluminium alloy. All wing control surfaces were of carbon fibre reinforced plastic. The fuselage was produced in eight sections. The wing was built in Spain by Gamesa; and Honeywell Primus supplied its Model 1000 integrated avionics system.
First of the type registered in this region was VH-VLT (c/n 145-01107) on 4 January 2010, an ERJ 145BJ / Legacy 600 imported for business jet work operating out of Essendon, VIC by Marcplan Charter Pty Ltd and owned by Clear Skies (Vic) Pty Ltd.
Further examples have been imported. In March 2012, an ERJ 135LR VH-JTG (c/n 145-728) began FIFO operations (fly-in fly-0ut) from Brisbane to the Sunshine Coast in Queensland with JetGo Australia, this aircraft being received on 30 October 2012. Two further examples were imported, VH-JTG (c/n 145687) received on 5 March 2012 and VH-JZG (c/n 145-713) received on 28 March 2013. However, JetGo ceased operations on its Brisbane – Albion Park, NSW – Melbourne, VIC, service, and on other services, and the aircraft were exported.