At the renowned Farnborough Airshow, Embraer introduced a groundbreaking technology that could change how aircraft take off—E2TS, the Embraer Enhanced Takeoff System. This pioneering system automates a crucial part of the takeoff process that traditionally requires manual intervention from pilots. With this innovation, planes are able to lift off from the runway without the pilot having to manually rotate the aircraft. Here’s a deep dive into the mechanics and potential impact of this transformative technology.

What is the E2 Enhanced Takeoff System?

The E2TS is the first-ever automated takeoff system designed specifically to optimize the takeoff process. Instead of pilots pulling back on the yoke to rotate the aircraft into the air, this new system automates the rotation using inputs from advanced flight control systems. Embraer has been actively testing this system on its E2 jets, and early results point to significant benefits for airlines, including increased range, higher payload capabilities, and more fuel efficiency.

How the E2TS Works?

The E2TS relies on inputs from three flight control computers and four smart probes to manage the entire takeoff rotation. When pilots initiate takeoff, they still control the aircraft using rudder pedals to maintain alignment with the centerline. As the aircraft accelerates through the critical speeds V1 and VR, all standard procedures remain the same, including the callouts between pilots.

Where E2TS changes the game is at the moment of rotation. Normally, pilots would pull back on the yoke to elevate the aircraft’s nose and initiate liftoff. With E2TS, however, pilots keep their hands on the yoke, but the system handles the rotation automatically, controlling the aircraft’s pitch for a more efficient takeoff. If the pilot decides to intervene, the system disengages immediately, giving full control back to the pilot.

Embraer E2TS: Optimized Takeoff Path

The core advantage of the E2TS is its ability to get the aircraft off the ground faster and more efficiently. Embraer has carefully calculated the optimal climb path for its E2 jets, allowing the system to automate this complex process. This not only maximizes safety but also improves operational efficiency.

Why automate something that pilots have been trained to do? The answer lies in the design of modern, long aircraft like the E195-E2. Rotating the aircraft manually at too steep an angle increases the risk of a tail strike, where the tail scrapes the runway. E2TS ensures that the aircraft reaches the necessary height above the ground before adjusting to the optimal angle of attack, all without endangering the aircraft.

According to Patrice London, Embraer’s Principal Performance Engineer,

“The aircraft will reach the screen height earlier compared to conventional takeoff performed by a human pilot. It’s then possible to convert this takeoff distance decrease to a takeoff weight increase. This allows a higher range for the same payload or a higher payload for the same route or even just a thrust reduction.”

Why Airlines Will Love E2TS?

Several factors make E2TS an attractive proposition for airlines. For one, it enables planes to operate from shorter runways, which opens up more airports, such as London City, where runway space is limited. By reaching the mandatory screen height of 35 feet faster, aircraft can take off from smaller airports and access new routes.

In addition to this, the system’s optimized climb rate and takeoff distance provide airlines with greater flexibility in managing payload. Airlines can either carry more passengers and cargo or extend the range of the flight while maintaining the same payload. Although the specific figures are still being calculated, the potential to maximize earnings or reduce operational costs is clear.

Reduced Pilot Workload and Enhanced Safety

One of the most immediate advantages of E2TS is the reduction in pilot workload. By automating the rotation process, pilots can focus more on monitoring the system and ensuring overall flight safety. This reduction in manual input also lowers the chance of human error during one of the most critical phases of flight—takeoff.

Moreover, E2TS is deeply integrated into the aircraft’s fly-by-wire system, which is already a well-established technology known for its high reliability and redundancy. This ensures that the aircraft’s takeoff is as safe and efficient as possible, and it nearly eliminates the risk of tail strikes, a serious concern during manual takeoffs.

Embraer E2TS: a Versatile System for More Aircraft

Although initially designed for Embraer’s E-Jet family, the E2TS system can easily be adapted for other aircraft types. In fact, Embraer has secured several patents for the technology and, pending certification from authorities like the FAA and EASA, plans to make E2TS available across a broader range of aircraft. The system is not tied to any physical modifications; it’s essentially a software upgrade that could be retrofitted to any aircraft that uses fly-by-wire technology.

The Brazilian aviation authority ANAC has already certified the system, and Embraer is awaiting similar approvals from other international regulators. In test flights, E2TS has performed even better than expected, which is promising for its future implementation.

Minimal Training Required

Despite the advanced technology, E2TS is designed to be user-friendly. Embraer has emphasized that training pilots to use the system is straightforward and requires minimal time. A short classroom session, lasting less than half a day, should suffice for most pilots to become familiar with the system. Embraer believes the simplicity of E2TS is such that pilots could start flying with the system after a brief briefing, but in today’s safety-focused aviation industry, the company recommends mandatory training to ensure all pilots are fully comfortable with the system.

As Luís Carlos Affonso, Senior Vice President of Engineering and Technological Development at Embraer, puts it,

“Because it’s a novel system, a first for the industry, we believe that training should be given to explain how the system works so that the pilots have full awareness of how the system works and they are prepared to operate it.”

Embraer E2TS Future Outlook

The initial rollout of E2TS will be on all new E-Jets, but the system’s benefits could appeal to operators of other aircraft, such as the A321. Even if there is no immediate performance benefit for some aircraft types, the safety advantages alone make E2TS an upgrade worth considering.

Embraer’s new system represents a leap forward in aviation technology, and it’s likely we’ll see E2TS being adopted across more aircraft in the coming years. For airlines, the promise of reduced fuel consumption, increased payload, and enhanced safety is a compelling proposition, and Embraer is at the forefront of this exciting development.