Embraer tells airlines to check bolts or pins

Embraer, a plane manufacturer based in Brazil, has sent out a bulletin encouraging airlines to check some of the pins or bolts on its E190 commercial jets.

In a statement, the company said the advisory issued this week "is a preventive measure'' and one that "is a routine procedure within the aviation industry.''

The Associated Press, citing Australian news reports, said that Embraer issued the advisory after Virgin Australia grounded some of the E190s in its fleet when it found bolts that connected their engines to pylons on the aircrafts' wings were faulty.

Among U.S. carriers, maintenance workers on Thursday discovered loose bolts on a dozen of the 20 E190s operated by US Airways Express after Embraer sent out its bulletin, says Paul Flaningan, spokesman for American Airlines which owns the regional carrier.

The bolts were fixed and the jets were back flying that same day, Flaningan says.

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Boeing, Embraer to open joint research center for sustainable aviation biofuel

Boeing and Embraer S.A. announced that they will open a joint research center to advance a sustainable aviation biofuel industry in Brazil.

Under a memorandum of understanding, the two companies will perform joint biofuel research, as well as fund and coordinate research with Brazilian universities and other institutions. The research will focus on technologies that address gaps in a supply chain for sustainable aviation biofuel in Brazil, such as feedstock production and processing technologies. The companies' biofuel research center will be located in Sao Jose dos Campos Technology Park.

"Boeing is working aggressively around the world to expand the supply of sustainable aviation biofuel and reduce aviation's carbon emissions," said Julie Felgar, managing director of Environmental Strategy and Integration, Boeing Commercial Airplanes. "With our joint biofuel research center, Boeing and Embraer are making a strong commitment toward a successful, sustainable aviation biofuel industry in Brazil."

"Embraer is committed in supporting the development of sustainable biofuels for aviation and the joint efforts with Boeing will undoubtedly contribute to the company continuing to be in the forefront of research in this area," says Mauro Kern, Executive Vice President, Engineering and Technology, Embraer. "Brazil has tradition in the area of alternative fuels and enormous potential yet to be explored in bioenergy research."

"Boeing and Embraer have a tremendous opportunity to work together to enhance Brazil's aviation biofuel capabilities, as well as the global industry's access to aviation biofuel," said Al Bryant, vice president, Boeing Research & Technology-Brazil.

In 2013, Boeing, Embraer and the Fundacao de Amparo a Pesquisa of the State of Sao Paulo (FAPESP) completed an action plan – Flightpath to Aviation Biofuels in Brazil – that identified gaps in a potential biofuel supply chain. The joint research between Boeing and Embraer will help address those gaps.

When produced sustainably, aviation biofuel emits 50 to 80 percent lower carbon emissions through its lifecycle than petroleum jet fuel. Globally, more than 1,500 passenger flights using biofuel have been conducted since the fuel was approved for use in 2011.

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