Embraer EMB 110

Summary

Category	Transport aircraft
Origin country	🇧🇷 Brazil
First flight	9 August 1972
Year of introduction	1973
Number produced	503 units

Description

The EMB 110 Bandeirante's development began with a 1965 directive from the Brazilian Ministry of Aeronautics, seeking a reliable, low-cost transport aircraft for both civilian and military use. The specification, generated under the IPD-6504 program, stipulated turboprop engines, a low-mounted wing, and capacity for eight personnel, tailored to Brazil's existing airport infrastructure. French engineer Max Holste was the lead designer, while Brazilian aeronautical engineer Ozires Silva supervised the prototype's construction and played a key role in founding Embraer to commercialize and produce the aircraft. On October 26, 1968, the YC-95 prototype, piloted by José Mariotto Ferreira, made its maiden flight from São José dos Campos Airport. By mid-1969, production approval led to Embraer's establishment, with the company assuming responsibility for production on January 2, 1970. Shifting market conditions led to a redesign into the higher-capacity EMB 110 Bandeirante, featuring technological advances. The Brazilian Air Force bolstered the program with an initial order for 80 production aircraft in May 1970.

Deliveries to the Brazilian Air Force began on February 9, 1973. The passenger model's inaugural flight occurred on August 9, 1972, and it subsequently entered commercial service on April 16, 1973, with Transbrasil. On July 8, 1985, Ryanair commenced operations with a 15-seat EMB 110, continuing to utilize the type until 1989. During the Falklands War, two EMB 111A Patrulha maritime patrol aircraft were leased to the Argentine Navy as a temporary measure. On December 15, 2010, the Brazilian Air Force unveiled its first upgraded EMB 110, equipped with modern avionics and designated as C/P-95. By October 2018, approximately 150 EMB 110s remained in active service across various sectors, including airlines, air taxis, government entities, and air forces worldwide. Between 1968 and 1990, a total of 494 EMB 110 aircraft were constructed in numerous configurations tailored for a variety of roles.

In a typical configuration, the EMB 110 seated between 15 and 21 passengers and required a crew of two pilots. Various configurations and customisations were possible. The EMB 110P1A/41 model, furnished with seats for 18 passengers, had a length of 15.1 metres (50 ft), a height of 4.92 metres (16.1 ft), and a wingspan of 15.33 metres (50.3 ft). It has a maximum cruising speed of 411 km/h (222 kn), while its more economical cruising speed was 341 km/h (184 kn), at which speed an effective range of 1,964 km (1,060 nmi) can be achieved even while retaining reserve fuels for another 45 minutes of flight. The EMB 110 has a service ceiling of 21,500 feet (6,600 m). The EMB 111A Patrulha is a maritime patrol version for the Brazilian Air Force, also designated as P-95 Bandeirulha. The P-95B is an improved EMB 111, with more advanced avionics and a strengthened structure, with ten built for the Brazilian Air Force. The EMB 111AN is a maritime patrol aircraft sold to the Chilean Navy. The Bandeirante received its Brazilian airworthiness certificate near the end of 1972.

Main Variants:

EMB 110: The initial production version, designated as the C-95 by the Brazilian Air Force, served as a twelve-seat military transport and was powered by two 680 shp (510 kW) PT6A-27 engines.
EMB 110A: This was a radio calibration version of the aircraft, designated as the EC-95, specifically tailored for the Brazilian Air Force.
EMB 110B: A specialized aerial survey and aerial photography variant, six of these were designated as R-95 aircraft for the Brazilian Air Force, while seven were constructed in total.
EMB 110C: The first commercial model, this was a 15-seat passenger version similar to the C-95 military transport.
EMB 111A Patrulha: Serving the Brazilian Air Force as a maritime patrol version, this aircraft also carried the designation P-95 Bandeirulha.