Embraer has researched and studied new technologies for reducing internal and external noise levels, for greater comfort of passengers, and to lessen the impact on airports and surroundings

For the aeronautics industry, environmental issues are directly connected to product performance. Due to peculiarities inherent to air transportation, airplanes consume a considerable amount of fuel, so operational efficiency is fundamental to reducing the impact on the environment, especially in the emission of greenhouse gases.

The pursuit of better performance is connected to our efforts to provide more comprehensive contributions to the environment, by making all aeronautical activities more sustainable. Regarding the improvement of our aircraft, we put continuous effort into their aerodynamics, in order to reduce drag during flight and as a result improve fuel consumption.

The pursuit of better aircraft performance is present in several company actions, beginning with the engineering specialisation programme, which has graduated more than 950 engineers since 2001, who are conscious of preventive actions that should be taken relative to environmental issues.

Embraer has monitored the development of the new generations of engines in partnership with the manufacturers of propulsion systems, and we are alert to new technological changes that should be implemented in the next few years. The company has researched and studied new technologies for reducing internal and external noise levels, for greater comfort of passengers, and to lessen the impact on airports and surroundings.

We have invested in the use of lighter materials in order to reduce the structural weight of the aircraft, and we have incorporated more electrical systems that are less dependant on the power produced by the engines.

The interface of our activities with weather issues is especially important for Embraer and the entire aeronautics industry. We are part of the Air Transport Action Group (ATAG), which gathers the main players in the air transport sector and seeks to mitigate the effects of aviation on the environment.

Embraer participates in the development of public policies related to future product regulations in conjunction with governments and representatives of society in general.

Company technicians participate in the Environmental Protection Committee of the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO). The committee works to improve aviation’s performance in terms of noise, greenhouse gas emissions and air quality.

Embraer’s First Ethanol Powered Aircraft

In 2005, Embraer became the first manufacturer to develop and certify a 100 per cent biofuel powered aircraft.

This achievement was the result of a partnership with the Department of Aerospace Science and Technology (Departamento de Ciência e Tecnologia Aeroespacial – DCTA), which allowed Embraer to manufacture the Ipanema crop duster with a 320 HP ethanol-powered engine.

Although the Ipanema crop duster has been in production since 1970 and was one of the first aircraft to be designed and produced by Embraer, in 2005, its 1,000th model become even more historic because it was also the first one to be equipped with an ethanol-powered engine which uses the same fuel as automobiles (hydrated ethanol).

Besides producing less pollution, this fuel extends the useful life of the engine and reduces the aircraft’s operating cost.

Since 2005, Embraer has been offering ethanol conversion kits for the airplanes powered by aviation gasoline (AvGas). Currently, around 25 per cent of the Brazilian fleet uses ethanol.

In 2005 as well, the Ipanema received the Aeronautics Industry Award in the General Aviation category, presented by the renowned British magazine Flight International. That same year, another important international publication, the Scientific American, considered it to be one of the 50 most important inventions of the year. In Brazil, the Ipanema was granted the Melhores da Terra (Best on Earth) Award by the Gerdau Group.

The Ipanema has since established itself as the first airplane in the world to be produced in series with an ethanolpowered engine.