Yesteryear

10 Years Ago

The maiden flight of the Embraer ERJ-140 took place from Sao Jose dos Campos on June 27. Converted from the ERJ-135 prototype, PT-ZJA, the 44 seat ERJ-140’s fuselage has been extended by 2.3m (7ft 6.5in).

The NATO Helicopter Management Agency signed a 6.6 billion Euro Production Investment and Production contract with NH Industries in Paris on June 30 for the first batch of 298 NH 90 multi-role helicopters. The immediate production commitment of 366 helicopters includes the first batch comprising 243 firm orders (France 27, Germany 80, Italy 116 and the Netherlands 20) and 55 options with a planned procurement of 595 NH 90s by the four governments with deliveries commencing in 2003 continuing until 2022.