Anac sets rules for clients flying Embraer aircraft

Brazil's civil aviation authority Anac published Ordinance No. 20,116/SPL on October 2, establishing guidelines that allow customer pilots to take the controls of Embraer aircraft. The authorization covers demonstration flights for prospective buyers and acceptance flights prior to delivery.

Except in single-seat aircraft, customer pilots cannot act as pilot-in-command. On acceptance flights, client pilots must be type-rated in their home country and may serve as second-in-command without validating their foreign licenses locally, provided an Embraer instructor serves as commander. For demonstration flights, Embraer must assign a full crew that includes an instructor in the cockpit.

Customers lacking a type rating must meet strict flight-time thresholds. The rule requires at least 200 flight hours for business aircraft that do not derive from commercial models. Pilots require a minimum of 1,500 flight hours for commercial aircraft or corporate jets derived from commercial airliners.

All test operations must occur during daylight hours under visual meteorological conditions. The regulation bans these flights from Congonhas, Santos Dumont, and Guarulhos airports. In addition, demonstration flights are subject to specific crosswind limits alongside runway and dispatch requirements. Embraer must check pilot documentation, retain flight records for five years, and oversee operations within its safety management system.