EMBRAER EMB-110 Bandeirante

Background

The design of this 'Brazilian' aircraft began with Frenchman Max Holste as IPD/PAR-6504 before being taken over by the state EMBRAER (Empresa Brasileira de Aeronautica SA) organisation. Intended as a light transport for the Brazilian Air Force (FAB), three prototype YC-95 aircraft were built and the first flew on October 26, 1968. The aircraft went into production in 1972, with the first production model completed in August. Deliveries to the Brazilian Air Force commenced the following year. The civil EMB110C 15 seater was certified soon after, and the first deliveries were to Trans Brazil Airlines. The first aircraft was not exported until 1975 - to the Uruguayan Air Force.

Overseas interest increased when the aircraft was displayed at Paris in 1977. EMBRAER Introduced the uprated P model with 750shp PT-6A -34 engines in place of the original PT-6A-27. The P1 is a quick-change commercial model featuring a cargo door allowing up to 1522kg (3421lb) to be carried, or 18 passengers. The P2 is a straight commuter capable of carrying up to 21 passengers with two sets of airstairs. The aircraft were certified in France in 1977, and in Britain and the US in 1978. The Bandeirante has proved popular with third level operators, its primary disadvantage being a lack of pressurisation. A pressurised version, the EMB-110P3 was proposed, but did not proceed.

The aircraft type is used in a number of civil and military roles. The aircraft has now appeared in a number of different designations - the EMB-100 prototype, the EMB-110 original production model, the EMB-110A radio calibration aircraft, the EMB-110B aerial survey version, the EMB-110C K and P commuter model, the EMB-110E executive, the EMB-110S1 geophysical survey platform, and the EMB-111M and N maritime patrol version. Production ended in 1990 with 500 aircraft completed (469 EMB-110 and 31 EMB-111).

New Zealand operated Bandeirantes have been the EMB-110P1 and EMB-110P2 versions. The first (ZK-ERU, illustrated below) was imported in 1980. Since then aircraft in the fleet have come and gone, and changed operators. Operators have included Hamilton based Eagle Air, Wellington based Rex Aviation, Transglobal Holdings, and Air national. In addition, two of the aircraft illustrated below (ZK-FTS and ZK-TAI) are in service with Air Rarotonga, and like most Cook Island based aircraft, appear on the New Zealand register. As at November 1, 1999 all the Bandeirantes on the civil register are EMB-110P1 models.

Currently on the register (1 November, 1999)

Air National
Air National started operations in 1990 as E.C.Menzies Aviation Ltd, based at Ardmore and carrying out tourist and charter work. The company moved to Auckland International in 1991 becoming the first charter operater based there. The name was changed to Air National at the end of March, 1995. Today they operate a variety of aircraft including most recently Jetstream 32EPs introduced in 1998 in conjunction with Ansett on the Rotorua - Wellington route. Their sole Bandereinte is operated in conjunction with Air Caledonie as a maintenance relief aircraft..

Air Rarotonga
Air Rarotonga started operations in 1977 with a Cessna 337 Skymaster (ZK-TAI). This was joined by a Beech 8800 Excalibur in late 1982. The company operates from Avarua on Rarotonga to many of the far flung Cook Islands. As noted below, an EMB110P1 was added in 1989, and subsequently TAI and TAK were replaced by similarly registered Bandeirantes. The airline also operated ZK-TRL(c/n 110417) between 1993 and 1996.

CityJet
City Jet grew out of the Tranzglobal Holdings passenger and freight operations. Launched under the CityJet label in May 1999, the operation ran regional services to Nelson, Blenheim, and Palmerston North, based on a Wellington hub while continuing with freight work. The aircraft were grounded by CAA on October 14 on matters related to the recording of flight times. Some flights were restarted, but CAA then placed restrictions on the airline's pilots in November. All operations were suspended on November 30, 1999 and the company ceased operation early in December 1999.

Eagle Airways
Eagle Airways grew out of a flying school started by Malcolm Cambell in 1969. Based in Hamilton, the company started services with a Beech Baron in 1975. Expansion into routes droped by NAC saw Eagle import the first New Zealand operated Bandeirante in 1980. The company merged with Air Central in 1983. It has grown to be one of the largest regional operators, with its own maintenance base in Hamilton. Today the fleet is all Bandeirantes and Metros, operated under the Air New Zealand Link banner..

Rex Aviation (NZ)
Rex Aviation (NZ) Ltd dates back to the late 1940's. However, by the mid-70's it existed in name only. When Australian based Pacific Aviation commenced maintenance operations in New Zealand in the late 1980's, the name was resurrected to avoid possible confusion with Pacific Aerospace. In 1989 Rex became one of the first operators under the Tranzair (latter Ansett New Zealand Regional) banner providing regional services using Ansett designators and other services. A number of current and past New Zealand Bandeirantes have served with Rex, and can be seen elsewhere in the listings on this page. Rex also provide corporate, cargo and maintenance services. The company replaced the EMB-110 fleet with Jetstreams, with the last Bandeirante service on June 4, 1999. Many of the aircraft were transferred to CityJet. Currently (1 November 1999) only one EMB110P1 remains registered to Rex Aviation (NZ).


Formerly on the New Zealand register :

Last Update:- 3 December, 1999

Technical Data


Images

Two on ground - Rarotonga 9 Oct, 1996 Control panel - Rarotonga 9 Oct, 1996 Start up - Aitutaki 9 Oct, 1996 Taxying - Aitutaki 9 Oct, 1996 Sunset - Rarotonga 9 Oct, 1996

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