Embraer ERJ family Facts for Kids

The Embraer ERJ family is a group of popular airplanes made by a Brazilian company called Embraer. These planes are known as "regional jets." This means they are designed to fly shorter routes, connecting smaller cities or feeding passengers into larger airport hubs. The family includes three main types: the ERJ135, ERJ140, and ERJ145. They all have two engines and are famous for being reliable and efficient.

What is the Embraer ERJ Family?
Images for kids
See also

What is the Embraer ERJ Family?

The Embraer ERJ family consists of three main aircraft models. These are the ERJ135, ERJ140, and ERJ145. They are all jet airplanes. They are built to carry passengers over medium distances. These planes are a common sight at airports around the world. They help people travel between different cities.

Designing the ERJ Jets

Embraer started designing these jets in the early 1990s. The goal was to create a comfortable and efficient regional plane. The first design, called the EMB-145 Amazon, looked different. It had straight wings and engines placed above the wings.

However, engineers decided to change the design. They moved the engines to under the wings. They also gave the wings a swept shape. This new design helped the plane fly faster and more smoothly. The first ERJ145 flew for the first time in 1995.

Different Models of the ERJ Family

The ERJ family includes three main models, each a bit different in size:

ERJ145: This is the largest model. It can carry up to 50 passengers. It is the most common version you will see.
ERJ140: This model is a bit shorter than the ERJ145. It usually carries about 44 passengers.
ERJ135: This is the smallest model in the family. It can carry around 37 passengers.

All these planes share many parts. This makes them easier to maintain. It also helps airlines save money on spare parts.

How ERJ Jets Are Used

Regional jets like the ERJ family are very important. They connect smaller towns to bigger cities. This allows passengers to easily transfer to larger flights. Many airlines use them for their regional services. For example, CommutAir is a large operator. They fly ERJ planes for United Express.

The ERJ family is not just for passengers. Embraer also made special versions:

Legacy 600: This is a business jet version. It is designed for private and corporate travel. It has extra fuel tanks for longer flights.
Military Versions: Some ERJ planes are used by air forces. These include the R-99A for AEW&C. This version has a large radar on top. There is also the R-99B with a special radar on its side. The EMB 145 MP is a maritime patrol version. It helps watch over oceans.

Inside the ERJ Cabin

The ERJ planes have a comfortable cabin for passengers. The seats are arranged in a "three-abreast" layout. This means there are two seats on one side of the aisle and one seat on the other. This setup gives passengers more space. It also makes boarding and exiting the plane quicker. The flight deck, or cockpit, is modern. It has advanced systems for pilots to fly the plane safely.

Images for kids

The original EMB-145 Amazon design with a straight wing and overwing engines
AE3007 Turbofan
Revised design with swept wing and underwing engines
ERJ145 planform view
Three-abreast cabin
The ERJ-145 with the ERJ-135 at Farnborough in July 2000
Flight deck
ERJ-145 operated for United Express by ExpressJet Airlines at Querétaro, Mexico
The Legacy 600 business jet derivative adds a fuel tank fairing forward of the wing, and winglets
CommutAir, which currently operates as United Express, is the largest operator.
Line drawings of ERJ135 & 145
Erieye variant (R-99A) of the Hellenic Air Force with an AESA antenna on top for AEW&C
Embraer R-99B variant of the Força Aérea Brasileira with a synthetic aperture radar on the side
EMB 145 MP maritime patrol version of the Fuerza Aérea Mexicana, without the R-99B side radar

Embraer ERJ family facts for kids

Contents