Many in Australia will have flown the Embraer E190 as there are a few flying here with Airnorth, Alliance Airlines (as QantasLink) and National Jet, plus the ones Virgin Australia used to operate back prior to COVID. The E190 and E195 include such wonderful features as large, well positioned windows (no bending down to look out horizontally), no middle seats, and good economics for the operators.

The E190 and E195 are already impressive aircraft but Embraer have made them even better with their E2 versions, providing even more comfort and improved economics. It seems only fitting that Virgin Australia, in the form of Virgin Australia Regional Airlines (VARA), are the first to operate the new E2s in Australian skies.

This episode we talk to Embraer to learn more about the E2 and to VARA to learn why they selected it and how they're bringing the new airframe into operations.

0:01:25 - We introduce the episode.

0:03:49 - Raul Villaron, Vice President of Asia Pacific for Embraer Commercial Aviation joins us from Singapore to discuss all things E2. He explains the external differences between the original series and the E2s, the new technologies incorporated in their design, their improved passenger experience, and their operating economics that are allowing them to even replace older turboprops while also opening up routes that otherwise couldn't support a larger aircraft. Raul also provides a comparison of the E2s vs the Airbus A220 models, gives us an overview of the other E2 operators in the Asia/Pacific region, and talks about the support network already in place.

0:32:31 - We introduce the next segment

0:34:00 - Nathan Miller, Executive General Manager of Virgin Australia Regional Airlines in Western Australia steps us through VARA's need to replace its Fokker 100s, their assessment of available aircraft, and selection of the E190-E2. He also steps us through the unique aspects of operating Fly In Fly Out (FIFO) operations to the resources companies in Western Australia while also needing to cover airline operations, and the demands they place on aircraft in the region. We also get an insight to Nathan's love of aviation and his experiences when being on the delivery flight of the first aircraft, VH-E2A (how fitting is that rego? :) ).

0:59:42 - We wrap up the episode and hint at what may be coming next.

Links:

• Maikha's video channel: https://www.youtube.com/@Rheilffordd
• Ben Jones' minature railway locomotive project https://www.facebook.com/buildingminiaturelocomotives

Credits:

• Introduction voice over and closing credits by Terry Daniel: http://yourvoiceover.com.au
• Episode artwork photo supplied by Embraer
• Music tracks are "What You Wanted" and "Event Vibe" from Infraction via #InAudio https://inaudio.org/

Contact us via contact@planecrazydownunder.com