With the recently achieved FAA certification, the CommuteAir, regional partner of United Express for United Airlines, is authorized to carry out charter operations with its new Embraer E170 regional jet. Commenting on this approval, Captain David Fitzgerald, CommuteAir Senior Vice President of Flight Operations, said:
“CommuteAir recognized a significant opportunity in the market for charter aircraft that bridge the gap between small regional jets and larger narrowbody aircraft. With its 76-seat capacity, the E170 offers a cost-effective and appropriately sized solution for various customer needs.”
The Federal Aviation istration's ten-month certification process for the company included five phases: sending a letter of intent to the DOT and FAA, creating and updating manuals, ing Design Collection Tools (DCTs) ) to ensure compliance with Federal Aviation Regulations (FARs), and the development of flight planning resources for the new aircraft.
To complete the certification process, internal training was conducted for pilots, flight attendants and mechanics, accompanied by operational demonstrations that included simulations, mini evacuation exercises and test flights.
With an average age of 17,7 years, the regional airline's fleet, according to ch-aviation, is made up of 75 aircraft, including 74 Embraer ERJ-145 jets and one Embraer E170. All 74 Embraer ERJ-145 jets are operated exclusively on behalf of United Airlines.
A CommuteAir It currently operates a single Embraer E170, ed as N780NC. The plane can accommodate up to 76 engers in a single-class cabin, with leather seats arranged in a 2-2 configuration. The aircraft also has space for two flight attendants and is equipped with two lavatories.
“The certification of our new E170 highlights the dedication and hard work of our team, reflecting our commitment to excellence and innovation. We are excited to introduce this exceptional flight experience and look forward to seeing the positive impact it will have on our operations.”, said Rick Hoefling, president and CEO of CommuteAir.
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