[EMBRAER NEWS RELEASE LETTERHEAD] [GRAPHIC OMITTED]
EMBRAER EXPANDS ITS BUSINESS JET PORTFOLIO
Embraer launches Very Light Jet and Light Jet
Sao Jose dos Campos, May 3, 2005 - Embraer today announced it is
strengthening its position in the business aviation market with new
products and services. The first move to expand its product portfolio
is to complement the Legacy offering with jets for the Very Light and
Light categories.
Recently created, the Very Light Jet category is made up of aircraft
that carry 6 to 8 people or up to 10,000 pounds. The Light segment,
already established, is comprised of jets that commonly transport up to
8 or 9 people.
The Company will offer a complete range of integrated service solutions
that will support the product portfolio expansion. In the near future,
Embraer will unveil these solutions that range from sales to full-scale
customer support.
"The Legacy has paved the way for Embraer to build a name in the
business aviation market. This has been an enriching experience from
which valuable lessons were learned. The accrued knowledge will shape
our entrance into the Very Light, Entry and Light Jet segments, keeping
Embraer at the forefront of product development and innovation," said
Mauricio Botelho, Embraer President and CEO.
Introduction of Embraer in the Very Light and Light categories was
approved by Embraer's Board of Directors in April. The investment in
the new jets will total US$ 235 million. This program will be funded by
the partners, financial institutions and the Company's own cash
generation. Based upon in-depth market assessments, Embraer has
estimated demand for approximately 3,000 Very Light, Entry and Light
jets over the next decade. This figure does not include the air taxi
market.
"Embraer is committed to making long-term investments in this business
to offer revolutionary products and completely integrated solutions to
a sophisticated customer base. Our goal is to build a robust business
aviation unit and a global infrastructure to support it," said Luis
Carlos Affonso, Senior Vice-President for the Corporate Aviation
Market.
The Very Light and Light Jets will be best-in-class. Premium comfort,
outstanding performance and low operating cost are key design drivers
for these jets.
They will be designed for high utilization and high availability. The
pilot-friendly cockpit and the docile flying qualities of the two new
aircraft will enable single-pilot operation and an easy transition for
less experienced pilots.
Embraer's Very Light Jet will carry up to eight people and be powered
by Pratt & Whitney Canada's PW617F engine, with 1,615 pounds of thrust.
Its range will be 1,160 nautical miles (NBAA IFR reserves with 100 nm
alternate) with four people onboard and it will have a maximum
operating speed of Mach 0.7. The airplane is designed for a short
takeoff distance and is capable of flying at 41,000 feet.
The Very Light Jet is expected to enter service in mid-2008 and will be
priced at $2.75 million in 2005 economic conditions.
The Light Jet will be powered by P&WC's PW535E engine, with 3,200
pounds of thrust. Comfortably accommodating up to nine people, the
Light Jet's range will be 1,800 nautical miles (NBAA IFR reserves with
100 nm alternate) with six people onboard, and it will have a maximum
operating speed of Mach 0.78. The airplane is also designed for a short
takeoff distance and is capable of flying at 45,000 feet.
The Light Jet is expected to enter service in mid-2009 and be priced at
US$ 6.65 million in 2005 economic conditions.
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Embraer launches Very Light Jet and Light Jet
Embraer Image Gallery
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Visit the new Embraer Image Gallery at www.Embraer.com
Note to Editors
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Embraer (Empresa Brasileira de Aeronautica S.A. - NYSE: ERJ; Bovespa:
EMBR3 and EMBR4) is the world's leading manufacturer of Commercial jets
up to 110 seats with 35 years of experience in designing, developing,
manufacturing, selling and providing after sales support to aircraft
for the global airline, Defense and Corporate markets. With
headquarters in Sao Jose dos Campos, state of Sao Paulo, the Company
has offices and customer service bases in China, France, Portugal,
Singapore and the United States. Embraer is among Brazil's leading
exporting companies. As of March 31, 2005, Embraer had a total
workforce of 16,409 people, including the employees of recently
acquired OGMA in Portugal, and its firm order backlog totaled US$ 9.9
billion.
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This document may contain projections, statements and estimates
regarding circumstances or events yet to take place. Those projections
and estimates are based largely on current expectations, forecasts on
future events and financial tendencies that affect the Company's
businesses. Those estimates are subject to risks, uncertainties and
suppositions that include, among others: general economic, political
and trade conditions in Brazil and in those markets where the Company
does business; expectations on industry trends; the Company's
investment plans; its capacity to develop and deliver products on the
dates previously agreed upon, and existing and future governmental
regulations.
The words "believe", "may", "is able", "will be able", "intend",
"continue", "anticipate", "expect" and other similar terms are supposed
to identify potentialities. The Company does not feel compelled to
publish updates nor to revise any estimates due to new information,
future events or any other facts. In view of the inherent risks and
uncertainties, such estimates, events and circumstances may not take
place. The actual results can therefore differ substantially from those
previously published as Company expectations.
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