withthatsaid182

They say the EMB145 series is basically the EMB120 except the engines are on the back.

For guys that have flown both, how similar are (minus the engines) they? I guess Skywest and Ameriflight are probably the only two operators in America, any reason why the 120 kind of faded? How does it perform compared to the other props?

I just happened to see a picture of one today and have been reading about them, they're a nice looking plane.

rickair7777

They are not particularly similar to the 145, which is glass cockpit. They do both have those embraer rams-horn yokes though.

They faded largely because they are old, and a fatal mesa crash in 2003 prompted to FAA to re-write the 121 W&B regs, which make it impossible to fly the 120 with a full load as originally designed...this is particularly a problem at high-altitude fields on hot days.

forgot to bid

I flew both and I think the fuselage barrel and the nose were the same but nothing on the inside of the skin really remained from the 120. The horizontal stabilizer is not the same and my bet is neither is the entire tail.

Everything else is completely different, simpler and smarter. Electromechanical and mechanical stuff is replaced by either a pump or a valve that turns on per computer logic. So nothing is really the same outside of the fuselage shape. You'll even notice the nose gear doors are one door per side on the jet versus 2 per side (4 total), I believe a mechanic was killed by the gear doors closing on a 120, not possible on the 145. You'll find some of the systems on the overhead panel are in the same place but on/off switches, dials and lights are all replaced by one or so switches that normally says OFF AUTO ON.

The cockpit on the E145 is also much more roomy and obviously completely different. No more two seperate autopilot panels with one FD aying turn left and the other showing a right turn, its all one unit.

But if you look the windshield you'll see it has an EMB-120 part number. Those are the same. But if you really look close you might occasionally see EMB-123. I think I've seen it on the windshield but I know for sure its in the books on the engine pylons. The 123 was the push prop prototype plane that came before the E145. I guess the engine pylons were just taken from it. They borrowed I think a lot off the 123 while designing the 145.

ovrtake92

The 120 has two different variations in the E-120 type. The 120RT and the 120 ER. The engines can be set up as either the Pratt & Witney 118, PW 118A or PW 118B. The A and B engines run 1800 SHP per side. The only difference is a placard that can be purchased that allows the engine to be run hotter and there for produce more power at higher density altitudes but requiring less time between overhauls. It is also quite the MX piggy because of its age and its electrical gremlins. Great Lakes also runs the Brasilla as well as some NASCAR teams and some other corporate shuttles. MTOW on the 120ER is 26433 lbs and the RT is limited to 25529 (I think). Typical BOW is around 17500 depending on config so do the math on useful loads. Summer GTOWs in DEN and the like can be extremely limiting. Some times the props get unhappy and try to kill people so watch out for that! The Brasillia was my favorite airplane to fly thus far but is a handful to the uninitiated. Filed TAS is around 300 kts and was designed with a service ceiling of FL320 but is typically flown at or under 280 for RVSM limitations and for part 121 Flight attendant Oxygen issues. If you have any other questions just PM me and Ill make something up. JK

TonyWilliams

They still fly the -120 in Russia, Africa, and South America, and some Carribean outfit.