Embraer E170 (X-Crafts)

The Embraer E170 by X-Crafts represents the foundational baseline and smallest member of Embraer’s modern E-Jet family in X-Plane 12. Certified to carry between 66 and 78 passengers in standard dual-class configurations, the E170 was the trailblazer that inaugurated the E-Jet program in the early 2000s, designed to replace older 50-to-70-seat regional jets and regional turboprops with mainline-grade cabin comfort, stand-up headroom, and true four-abreast seating. In airline operations, the aircraft became an indispensable regional feeder asset across North America, Europe, and Asia, flown by launching carrier LOT Polish Airlines alongside Republic Airways (flying as United Express, American Eagle, and Delta Connection), HOP! (Air France), BA CityFlyer, and J-AIR.

Powered by two General Electric CF34-8E5 turbofans producing approximately 14,200 pounds of thrust each, the E170 possesses the shortest fuselage and highest power-to-weight agility of the entire family. Unlike its slightly stretched sibling—the E175—the E170 is certified for Steep Approach Mode. This specialized flight control law automates spoiler modulation on final approach, allowing virtual captains to shoot stable 5.5-degree glide-path approaches into terrain-restricted or noise-sensitive downtown airfields such as London City Airport (EGLC) and Lugano (LSZA).

On the flight deck, X-Crafts replicates Embraer’s Primus Epic avionics suite across five crisp displays, offering custom system synoptics, automated fuel routing, and multi-mode HSI integration. Auto-flight operations are managed via dual independent custom Flight Management Systems (FMS Load 27 emulation) featuring coupled LNAV, managed VNAV with dynamic Top of Descent (TOD) calculations, and automated FMS speed scheduling. Backed by a window-mounted Electronic Flight Bag (EFB) with direct SimBrief import, an ambient lighting modifier engineered to eliminate dark cockpit shadows in native X-Plane 12, and a multi-layered FMOD acoustic package with simulated noise-cancelling headphones, the E170 provides an agile, procedural short-field twinjet experience.

Primary Missions & Operational Roles

• Steep Approach & Downtown City Airport Access: Executing certified 5.5-degree steep glide-slope approaches into space-restricted inner-city airfields like London City (EGLC) and mountain valleys like Lugano (LSZA) using the E170's dedicated Steep Approach system.

• European & North American Regional Feeder Routes: Connecting smaller regional spokes to central airline hubs (e.g., LOT Polish European rotations, BA CityFlyer regional hops, or Republic Airways US hub connectors).

• High-Power Short-Field Regional Operations: Operating in and out of short municipal runways where the E170's compact fuselage, generous tailstrike margin, and high thrust-to-weight ratio provide superior climb-out and landing performance.

• High-Automation Airline Cockpit Flows: Practicing standard airline line procedures with dual custom FMS navigation, coupled LNAV/VNAV vertical profiles, and autothrottle thrust automation.