The third of four prototypes of Embraer’s new E190-E2 airliner took off for the first time on August 27 from the Brazilian airframer’s headquarters in São José dos Campos. Announcing the program’s latest first flight, Embraer said that the aircraft will mainly be used to test flying qualities and evaluate handling in icing conditions as part of a certification program that is supposed to be completed during the first half of 2018.

In a statement issued today, Embraer said that the first E190-E2 prototype, which made its first flight on May 23, is now conducting tests on systems, loads, aero-elasticity, external noise and crosswind handling. The second prototype joined the 10-hour flight-test program on July 8 and is being used to test systems and general aircraft performance. So far, the two twinjets have logged more than 150 flight hours.

The fourth prototype is set to starting flying early in 2017. It will feature a production-series cabin interior. This will be used to measure factors such as internal cabin noise and passenger emergency evacuation. Embraer’s engineering team also is using ground test rigs and an iron bird that have collectively accumulated almost 21,000 hours.