Embraer brings aviation innovation to the COVID-19 fight

Brazilian aircraft manufacturer Embraer is using its formidable engineering and technology skills to help fight the war against COVID-19. The plane-maker is making parts for ventilators and respirators at its facility in Sao Jose dos Campos that are designed to replace imported components. It is one of several coronavirus projects Embraer has underway as it works with other companies and research centers to combat the virus. It's also developing high-efficiency filtration systems for transforming regular hospital beds into intensive care beds and studies for the development of simple, robust and portable respirators aimed at rapid implementation and availability. READ: Qatar Airways defies capacity trend to fly travelers home. The technology to convert regular hospital beds into intensive care beds is being developed in partnership with the Albert Einstein Hospital Sao Paulo. Embraer is providing technical support for the use of highly efficient filters used in aircraft air conditioning to provide air quality control in the beds. Another team is dedicated to analyzing the manufacturing control valves and flow sensors for another respirator company and help it adapt an existing respirator for use in combating COVID-19. “The global health care system is facing an unprecedented scenario, and Embraer plans to apply its capacity during this moment of global collaboration and demand for effective and short-term solutions,’’ the manufacturer said, adding it would keep looking for ways to apply its expertise. The Brazilian manufacturer is not the only airframe-maker to turn its mind to the coronavirus fight. Boeing is also looking at how its plants can produce respirator parts and Airbus has been using its test aircraft to import medical supplies from China. Meanwhile, the Brazilian manufacturer said this week it expected a further delay in a European Commission decision on a takeover deal that would see Boeing take 80 percent of its commercial aircraft business. It now doesn't expect to hear from the commission until the end of June. The Europeans announced the review in 2019, citing worries about reduced competition between commercial aircraft manufacturers.