Next-gen E-Jets Family: June Development Preview

We are continuing development of the E-Jets Family 3.0, with several major improvements now taking shape across navigation, usability, flight planning, guidance, and visuals.

This update previews four key areas currently in progress: the new custom autopilot development, a refreshed EFB experience, SimBrief Dispatch integration, and AirComms for the E-Jets.

We’re also making progress in other areas, like cockpit and cabin texture overhaul, updating avionics, and lots more. We’ll cover those in the next update!

 

Custom Autopilot Progress

The new custom autopilot development (developed by Steve Wilson) is now well underway. One of the major areas being tested is HOLDs, which can introduce surprisingly complex situations for the FMS and autopilot. The aircraft needs to handle hold entries, route changes, direct-to actions, missed approach holds, and different ways of leaving or continuing from a hold while keeping LNAV, VNAV, the flight plan, the map, and the CDU in agreement.

 

Here’s a test of flying direct-to into a hold, shortening the approach, and then flying a missed approach sequence into a hold with a parallel entry. Copyright: Navigraph

 
 

New EFB Experience

Alongside the navigation work, the EFB is getting a major usability and visual refresh. It now has a cleaner interface, updated graphics, light and dark themes, and black or white tablet options, so users will have more control over how it fits into their cockpit setup.

 
 
 

Simbrief Dispatch Integration

SimBrief Dispatch integration is also being built into the EFB. The goal is not only to load SimBrief flight plans into the FMS, but also to generate SimBrief flights directly from the EFB, making flight setup faster and smoother without constantly switching between tools.

 
 
 

AirComms™ for E-Jets

AirComms is also coming to the E-Jets! This system has already been very successfully used in the ERJ Family 2.0, where it provides smart tips, warnings, reminders, and full step-by-step tutorials. Bringing it to the E-Jets will make the aircraft easier to learn, easier to operate, and more approachable without removing depth for experienced users.

 
 

E-Jets Family 3.0 is not just about adding missing features. It is about making the whole family smarter, more complete, easier to use, and more enjoyable to fly for years to come.

Marko Mamula