Embraer - SECOND PROTOTYPE OF BANDEIRANTE AIRPLANE GOES ON PERMANENT DISPLAY AT THE BRAZILIAN AEROSPACE MEMORIAL
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Aircraft restored by Embraer in 2008 marks MAB reopening
São José dos Campos, June 25, 2009 – Embraer officially delivered the second prototype of
the EMB 110 Bandeirante aircraft, today, to the Brazilian Aerospace Memorial (Memorial
Aeroespacial Brasileiro – MAB), located in São José dos Campos, Brazil. The event is one of
the activities commemorating the 40th anniversary of the Company, which was founded on
August 19, 1969. The airplane, which was restored by Embraer last year, will go on
permanent display and marks the Memorial’s reopening to the public, after being temporarily
closed, due to a change in administration, repairs, and renewing the collection.
“Brazil’s success in such a competitive sector as the aeronautics industry is a worthy reason for
pride on the part of Brazilians and stirs admiration and curiosity worldwide. The origin of this
story is found in CTA’s creation, then Aeronautical Technical Center, now called the Aerospace
Technology General Command, in the 1940s, and in the Bandeirante aircraft project, which was
conceived, designed and built in the 1960s by CTA engineers and technical personnel. It gives us
great satisfaction to contribute to keeping this past alive, and as we see the Bandeirante return to the home where it was born, after being carefully restored ,” said Horacio Forjaz, Embraer
Executive Vice President, Corporate Affairs. “The partnership between Embraer, MAB, and the
Santos Dumont Foundation is very important and will make it possible for Brazilians to see
several chapters of this wonderful history, which is the fruit of the vision and determination of
men who are sources of inspiration for future generations.”
The EMB 110 Bandeirante was the first airplane manufactured in series by Embraer. Of the
three original prototypes (called the EMB 100), the first belongs to the collection of the
Aerospace Museum (Museu Aeroespacial – MUSAL, www.musal.aer.mil.br), in Rio de
Janeiro, and the third is on permanent display in Santos Dumont Park, in São José dos Campos.
The second prototype (see photo) belongs to the Santos
Dumont Foundation (www.santosdumont.org.br) and
was ceded to Embraer. The Company carefully
renovated the aircraft, inside and out,
according to the original plans. The work was
completed in October 2008. After being
displayed to the press and to Embraer’s
employees, the airplane was transferred to
MAB, as a part of its collection.
After 20 consecutive years of manufacturing in series (1970-1990), with 498 aircraft built and
delivered, in 16 different versions, the Bandeirante production ceased. Yet today, over 300 of
this pioneer Brazilian airplane are in operation.
“The Santos Dumont Foundation was created in 1956, and its mission is to preserve the
memory of the aeronautics industry in Brazil,” said Engineer José Vicente Cabral Checchia,
retired Air Force Lieutenant General and President of the Santos Dumont Foundation. “We
are very happy that the second Bandeirante prototype is in good hands, getting the proper
care, and contributing to spreading the amazing history of Brazilian aviation.”
“Besides being the initial milestone of the Nation’s aeronautics industry, the Bandeirante is
the consolidation of the ideals of Air Force General Casimiro Montenegro Filho, because all
of his struggles to create CTA and ITA, Aeronautics Technological Institute, were so that the
efforts of the engineers and researchers would culminate in this aircraft and in the creation of
a Brazilian aeronautics industry,” stated Air Force Lieutenant General Ronaldo Salamone
Nunes, Interim General Commander of Aerospace Technology. “Receiving the second
prototype into MAB’s collection honors those who were the pillars of the reality we see before
us today. CTA is grateful for the initiative of Embraer and the Santos Dumont Foundation.”
Founded in 2004, MAB (www.cta.br/mab.htm) is located
inside the Aerospace Technology General Command
(Comando-Geral de Tecnologia Aeroespacial – CTA),
occupying an area of 75,000 square meters (equivalent to about
15 soccer fields). From 2004 to 2008, the institution received
over 160,000 visitors. MAB will reopen its doors to the public
next June 27, under the direction of the CTA. Admission is free
and the museum is open every weekend from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00
p.m., via an exclusive entrance, near the São José dos Campos
Airport, located 90 km from the city of São Paulo.
