Embraer Introduces Automatic Takeoffs For E2 Family

FARNBOROUGH—Embraer is introducing an automatic takeoff function onto its E2 family of passenger jets, leading to much-enhanced range capabilities from short runways. 

The function, called Embraer Enhanced Takeoff System (E2TS), will be available from the fourth quarter of 2025 and will also be available for retrofit on aircraft that have already been delivered, the OEM revealed July 23 at the Farnborough Airshow. 

Embraer is the first aircraft manufacturer to develop software that allows automatic takeoffs. Auto-landing has been a standard capability for decades. Airbus has recently started work on automated taxiing, a functionality that could first be introduced on the A350.

E2TS involves a patented software upgrade to the existing flight control system, according to Luis Carlos Affonso, Embraer’s senior vice president of engineering and technology development. The company has been working on the software for three years. The system will rotate the aircraft to its maximum geometrical limits while avoiding a tailstrike at the same rotation speeds as would be used for manual takeoffs. E2TS will be more precise and consistent than manual rotations and will also work in the scenario of an engine failure.

By optimizing the rotation phase reliably, Embraer expects the E2 can fly up to 500 nm farther from some airports. For London City Airport, one of the most important runway-limited airports in Europe, another 350 nm will be possible, extending the range of the E2 to destinations such as Istanbul and allowing airlines to serve routes in North Africa.

According to Affonso, upon lining up on the runway, pilots will select the auto-takeoff mode along with autothrottle and engage the autopilot. They will still manually correct heading with the pedals if needed. The takeoff roll is initiated by pushing the power levers forward to engage the autothrottle. “The only thing that changes is that pilots do not rotate the aircraft themselves,” Affonso said. They will still have their hands on the yoke, just like they would during an automatic landing.

There will “probably” be no additional simulator training needed, he added.

E2TS is part of a series of E2 improvements Embraer announced here at Farnborough. The company is now guaranteeing an additional 2.5% reduction in fuel burn compared to the E1 based on in-service experience and some changes, such as requiring less bleed of the engine and small aerodynamic changes. “We were too conservative,” Embraer Commercial Aviation CEO Arjan Meijer said. The lower fuel burn guarantees are available from the second quarter of 2025.

Climb thrust has also been optimized, leading to a 10% extension of engine time on wing and lower maintenance costs. Embraer has also done some redesign of the forward and aft cabin which allows airlines to fit another row of seats into the aircraft if they are also prepared to reduce the seat pitch somewhat on the existing rows.

Embraer claims that the changes lead to 4% lower costs per seat for the E195-E2 compared to the competing Airbus A220-300. It previously had a 1% disadvantage.

The company did not announce any orders at the Farnborough Airshow, even though CEO Francisco Gomes Neto had only recently predicted that the event would be “much better” than previous shows. However, Meijer said that “we need a little bit more time” to finish certain sales campaigns. Embraer is talking to customers about orders for up to 300 E2s and more E1s on top of that.

Embraer is introducing larger bins that allow one trolley per passenger on the E175-E1, a feature that is already available on the E2s.