Embraer's PR-ZIQ "Profit Hunter"

Embraer's E195-E2 sales demonstrator, PR-ZIQ "Profit Hunter" (msn 19020041), is making a stop at HNL. It arrived from SEA, and will continue onto LAS following a short stopover here.

This would be the second time an E190 demonstrator to make an appearance at HNL. In July 2006, Embraer flew in PP-XMB as a demonstrator for Aloha Airlines, as the airline had been considering a replacement for their 737-200 fleet.

PP-XMB Previewed For Aloha

Representatives from Embraer, General Electric, and Honeywell demonstrated this Embraer 190 (ERJ-190), PP-XMB (msn 190002), for the staff and management of Aloha Airlines with 2 preview flights (1 to OGG, and 1 to LIH) today. The sleek new airliner looked quite impressive as it sat in the AQ hangar, and when it was pushed outside, the jet gleamed under the Hawaiian sun.

This ERJ-190 was on display at this year's Farnborough Air Show in the UK, and on a "world tour". PP-XMB and its crew are heading back to Brazil, and making stops along the way for prospective airlines to check out this state-of-the-art jet.


I had the opportunity to tour the interior, and found it quite spacious. The coach seats are 2 abreast, and look a bit wider than normal. They were decked out with AQ bird-of-paradise headrest covers. Each seat on PP-XMB had a personal LCD screen for its IFE. The ERJ-190 series is only 20cm narrower than a 732, but still felt spacious.


The flight deck is all glass with 4 large displays, with the latest Honeywell avionics.


PP-XMB returns from its run to OGG on Rwy 4R. There was hardly a roar normally associated with thrust reversers. When the 2nd preview flight took off, the 2 GE CF34-10E engines were quieter than the RR/BMW BR710 (& BR715) engines. This has to be one of the quietest airliners around.

The ERJ-190, and more so the ERJ-195, are heavy contenders for AQ's replacements of their 732 fleet. It's not a done deal, but it's the beginning of a process to evaluate potential 732 replacements, which will take over a year. It would definitely be cool to see the bird-of-paradise on the tail of one of these E190 series birds. This is what I consider a Regional Jet! And the ERJ-190 series gets my vote!

Again, a big Mahalo to the folks @ Aloha for allowing me to attend this event!.

More Jungle Jet-190 pics

Aloha Airlines is looking at the E-190 as a possible replacement for the aging 737-200. On Monday July 31st, expect to see this aircraft doing some takeoffs and landings in Honolulu and around our islands as Aloha kicks the tires.


Embraer a.k.a "Empresa Brasileira de Aeronáutica S.A." is one of the largest aircraft manufacturers in the world. They have stopped over to visit Aloha Airlines in Hawaii on their way back from the Farnborough Air Show in England. You can learn more about the E-jets here.


I would like to get some pictures of this rare bird out in the sunlight. These hangar pics will have to do for now!



While I haven't had the chance to go inside this aircraft, according to Embraer's website it appears to be a real mainline aircraft. Seeing it up close, it is no smaller than the Boeing 737-200. If we ever do see these state of the art birds flying under some airline's colors in Hawaii I would much rather prefer to see Aloha's birds of paradise on the tails rather than Mesa's go!

Currently Aloha's 737's are configured in one class with 127 seats. The E-195 can be configured with 118 seats which is 9 less seats than the Boeing.

Embraer E190 at AQ Hangar

PP-XMB, an Embraer E-190, is currently in the AQ maintenance hanger. Could this possibly mean that AQ is close to choosing a replacement for the 737-200s?