By 1974, just five years after its inception, Embraer was already considered an established company. With a workforce of around 3,000, its production lines featured three aircraft that had achieved market success: the Bandeirante, the Xavante, and the Ipanema. These three aircraft effectively covered the commercial, military, and agricultural sectors.
However, there were other segments yet to be captured: in 1973, Brazil ranked first in the Southern Hemisphere among importers of light aircraft—small single- or twin-engine planes with a capacity of up to ten passengers. These were predominantly aircraft manufactured by the U.S.-based Piper Aircraft Corporation, which were highly sought after by companies for quick trips and executive transport.
Forecasts indicated that the Brazilian market would absorb approximately 3,000 light aircraft by 1978. To tap into this potential market, Embraer entered into negotiations with Piper to manufacture some of its aircraft under license in Brazil. The plan also aimed for Embraer to gain expertise in large-scale production—capabilities that would stem from this market segment.
During Embraer's fifth-anniversary celebrations, the company signed a cooperation agreement with Piper covering the development, production, and marketing of its light aircraft. Initially, Embraer was to manufacture only two models: the twin-engine EMB 820 Navajo (Piper Navajo Chieftain) and EMB 810 Seneca (Piper Seneca III). However, as early as 1974, production of the single-engine EMB 720 Minuano (Cherokee Six) was also added to the company's production line. That same year, the company contracted Indústria Aeronáutica Neiva to assist in producing the EMB 710 Carioca (Cherokee 235 Pathfinder) and EMB 711 Corisco (Cherokee Arrow II)—all Piper models.
The official unveiling of the five aircraft took place on June 17, 1975. In addition to these, three more light aircraft models resulting from the Piper partnership were launched between 1976 and 1984: the EMB 712 Tupi (Piper Archer II), the EMB 721 Sertanejo (Cherokee Lance), and the EMB 821 Carajá (an upgraded version of the Navajo). In total, Embraer secured licenses from Piper to market eight light aircraft models.
By 1978, Embraer had shifted to local production of the aircraft, using parts and components also manufactured in Brazil, with the exception of a few select items. As early as 1984, the entire production of Embraer’s light aircraft line was transferred to Neiva—a company Embraer had acquired in 1980—located in Botucatu, in the state of São Paulo.
Light aircraft production exceeded expectations. In total, 2,326 aircraft derived from the partnership with Piper were delivered by Embraer between 1975 and 2000.
A single-engine, low-wing aircraft, the EMB 710 Carioca could take off from and land on short and even unpaved runways. It was powered by a 235-hp Lycoming engine and featured fixed tricycle landing gear, as well as a special ventilation system and low cabin noise levels, ensuring passenger comfort. Easy to fly, the Carioca was widely adopted for air taxi services. Another distinguishing feature of the aircraft was its low fuel consumption—covering approximately six kilometers per liter. A total of 288 units were manufactured, with the final four delivered in 1983.
The aircraft is notable for having been the prize in a drawing held during the ceremony officially unveiling the family of aircraft resulting from the partnership between Piper and Embraer in Brazil. Held in 1975, the drawing was won by the Bragança Paulista Flying Club, which competed against 36 other clubs.
Considered fast by the standards of small aircraft of its time, the EMB 711 Corisco was powered by a 200 hp Lycoming engine and reached speeds of up to 265 km/h. It could carry up to four people in a cabin with controlled ventilation and featured soundproofing, ensuring low noise levels. Another distinctive feature was its T-tail configuration, where the horizontal stabilizer was mounted atop the vertical stabilizer. This design prevented propeller wash from striking the horizontal stabilizer, resulting in reduced vibration and noise, as well as a more stable and pleasant flight.
In 1980, the EMB 711 ST— known as the Corisco II or Corisco Turbo— was launched, featuring a turbocharger and a luxurious interior. The Corisco Turbo could reach speeds of up to 330 km/h.
Its strong performance, safety, and ruggedness earned it widespread acceptance among Brazilian flying clubs and made it a popular choice for recreational flying.
The final four units— out of a total production run of 477 —were manufactured in 1990.
The EMB 712 Tupi was introduced in Brazil in 1979, and by the following year, it was already considered the most cost-effective aircraft in its class.
The aircraft featured a comfortable four-seat cabin with dual controls. It had a monocoque fuselage with a primary structure made of aluminum alloy. Equipped with a semi-tapered wing, the single-engine plane could reach a speed of 207 km/h powered by a 180 hp Lycoming engine. It was fuel-efficient, consuming just one liter of gasoline for every eight kilometers flown. Furthermore, the design of its fuselage allowed for semi-aerobatic maneuvers.
All these characteristics made the Tupi one of the most popular aircraft among Brazilian flying clubs, resulting in the production of 145 units.
Launched in 1975, the EMB 720 Minuano was designed to operate in regions with short or unpaved airstrips.
Equipped with a 300 hp Lycoming engine, the aircraft reached speeds of up to 270 km/h and featured a modern electronic communication and radio navigation system. With a capacity for up to six passengers, it offered ample luggage space in both the rear compartment and the nose.
A study published in 1984 showed that the Minuano successfully fulfilled its purpose, as it was widely used by farmers to connect urban and rural areas. Two years later, an aircraft with the registration PT-RNR was selected by six French pilots from the École Nationale Supérieure de l’Aeronautique et de l’Espace to fly across Brazil from north to south. The Minuano covered 1,000 km over 51 flight hours across 13 consecutive days. The crew's journey became the subject of a thesis and validated the importance of light aviation as a means of integration in countries of continental size, such as Brazil.
The EMB 721 Sertanejo was introduced in Brazil in 1976—one year after Embraer launched the first five models resulting from its partnership with Piper.
A low-wing, aluminum-structured aircraft, this single-engine plane reached speeds of 290 km/h powered by a 300 hp Lycoming engine and featured a three-axis autopilot.
It was a versatile aircraft with a spacious cabin accommodating up to seven people, capable of being adapted for executive transport. Its seats were removable, allowing the interior space to be used to carry up to 700 kg of cargo. Another comfort feature was the forward baggage compartment, which served as a sound barrier against engine noise. A total of 208 units of the model were sold.
Designed to connect urban centers, the twin-engine EMB 810 Seneca was one of the lightest aircraft in its class and could carry up to seven passengers. Equipped with 200-hp Continental engines and two-blade propellers, it offered low fuel consumption.
Seeking to refine the product, Embraer introduced modifications in 1982, including more powerful 220-hp engines and three-blade propellers that ensured higher cruising speeds. These improvements, combined with new technologies, enabled flight at higher altitudes, with an approved ceiling of 25,000 feet.
The new version also featured a sophisticated interior and seating flexibility that allowed the aircraft to be configured for executive use. In this layout, the seats faced each other, with a retractable table in the center.
The aircraft—which by the mid-1970s was already the best-selling twin-engine plane in its class worldwide—was also a sales success in Brazil. Embraer produced a total of 876 units, with the final aircraft manufactured in 2000.
The EMB 820 Navajo was launched in June 1975 and made its maiden flight in December of the same year. However, its success began even before the launch; in September 1974, Embraer received a letter of intent from Alpha Táxi Aéreo Ltda. to purchase four aircraft.
The 100th EMB 820 to roll off Embraer's production line was delivered in November 1979 to Brazilian racing driver Emerson Fittipaldi. Fittipaldi used the aircraft for travel during the Formula 1 World Championship and for business operations his company conducted in Brazil.
Rugged, fast, comfortable, and already well-known in the Brazilian market, the twin-engine aircraft could carry up to 10 passengers. Additionally, it could be configured as an executive aircraft or for transporting cargo weighing up to one ton.
It was powered by two 350-hp Lycoming engines featuring turbocharging and direct fuel injection, ensuring low operating costs and strong performance at intermediate altitudes. It utilized Hartzell constant-speed, counter-rotating propellers.
In 1984, Embraer launched its project for a new version of the Navajo: the EMB 821 Carajá turboprop. The main improvement was the replacement of the two 350-hp Lycoming piston engines—which ran on aviation gasoline—with two 550-hp Pratt & Whitney turboprops powered by jet fuel. This change aimed to attract air taxi customers.
With a capacity of up to eight passengers, the Carajá was publicly unveiled on October 27, 1984, during the 1st National "Old Eagles" Fly-in at Bacacheri Airport in Curitiba.
In 1986, Embraer launched a sales consortium for the Carajá, and it was a success: 28 units were sold in just 52 days.
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