Embraer’s largest commercial jet took off on its maiden flight at 11:22 AM, March 29, from the runway at the São José dos Campos facility, ahead of schedule.

The crew, pilots Jordão and Pirk and flight engineers Celso Braga de Mendonça and Marcos Ito evaluated the aircraft’s control and performance characteristics during the 2-hour flight. They also analyzed several flight parameters including speed and altitude, and retracted the landing gear.

The flight kicks off the start of the E195-E2 certification campaign in which two aircraft will be used – one for aerodynamic and performance tests, the other to validate maintenance tasks and the interior. The second E195-E2 is scheduled to fly by the end of this year.

The first E195-E2 is planned to be delivered to Azul Linhas Aéreas Brasileiras in 2019.