Embraer E-jets vs. Airbus A320 series

[Panama Jack]

I am wondering whether any pilot who has experience flying Embraer E-Jets (such as the EMB-175) and the Airbus A319,320,321 series can give me their thoughts and impressions on what an Airbus-experienced pilot can expect from the Embraers.

Thanks.

[Rockie]

Frustration

Seriously though. The EMJ is a good plane, but the FMS/Autoflight package is more difficult to use yet not as capable. Other systems in the airplane make you wonder what in the hell they were thinking too. You probably won't like it as much as the Bus, but it's not all bad. The route structure is very similar to the bus as well if you work for AC.

[Panama Jack]

Don't work for AC, but looks like the airline I work for is moving from an all-'bus fleet to include ERJ's.

Other systems in the airplane make you wonder what in the hell they were thinking too

I sometimes wonder that about the Airbus, especially with the manuals they write (we use the unaltered Airbus FCOM's). I write it off as "Aerboooooooooz logique"

[yycflyguy]

Hey Jack, you forgot about me!

The Embraer has a split ND screen that allows you to see your moving map as well as a vertical descent profile which allows you to V/S down to your next altitude at the point you desire... similar to the "hockey stick" that the bus uses. The software that was on the Embraer while I was on it had its shortcomings as far as "forgetting" about that pesky 250 through 10k or levelling off at your altitude while on descent and forgetting about the restriction to slow at the same point. After a bit you learn how to trick it into doing what you want. Having said that, the Embraer guys tell me that this is not the same problem as it was with subsequent software updates. The 190 was a nice, stable airplane that rode the bumps better than the 175 which tends to feel like a shopping cart.

Creature comforts on the Embraer are not as nice as the Bus as you will fill the flight deck with a flight bag (which hides circuit breakers) and your crew bag. If you have a third in the flight deck it is cramped... so only allow the cute, short skirt wearing variety as the jumpseat seat has a weight limit of 130lbs

The bicycle control column prevents you from crossing your legs.

No F/O tiller.

More memory items than the Bus as the EICAS that we have is not nearly as comprehensive as the Bus ECAM.

Veeeeeeerrrry slow climb speeds... but that might just be the low CI we were flying on short haul stuff city pairing.

We used Seinheiser(sp) headsets with an pilot-pilot intercom which is way better than the nipple in your ear for communications on descent below 10,000 (very noisy on the EMJ) but not so good when your partner has lunch and doesn't turn off his hot mic!

Brakes suck on the Embraer (see Aerorepublica landing in Santa Marta or the Cleveland overrun) and everything was manual braking on the Embraer as we never received the autobrakes.

I am sure there is more if you want to know, you know how to find me.

Que te vaya bien hombre... vas a tener cuatro rayas con esa avioneta?

[Panama Jack]

Actually, yycflyguy, I didn't forget about you and had hoped you might make an appearance sooner or later.

I am not yet certain which model EMB we would get as nothing has been announced just yet, but the changes will supposedly come fast & furious. Somebody in the office mentioned that they heard a number "190", but the aircraft would be factory new.

La única manera en que yo me veo volando esa pipilacha será con cuatro rayas. ¡Los días del cuatrimotor aquí son bien limitados!