New plane to make London City Airport trials

[boeing767]

LONDON - Brazilian aircraft manufacturer Embraer has scheduled a range of E-190 flight trials at London City Airport for November 1 with a view to securing steep approach certification for the type by late 2009, Flight International reports. These tests will include take-offs, landings and manoeuvring.

Aircraft operating into the Docklands airport must perform a 5.5° approach, and manufacturers must demonstrate capability for an approach of up to 7.5°. Embraer is planning to certify two of its four-member E-Jet family for London City operations. The E-170 secured its approval last summer and planed for the larger variant to follow suit by the first quarter of 2009, although this has slipped to the last quarter of 2009.