This post was supposed to be published before the one on the visit of Airbus, but because life happens, the sequence changed…

Once again, I’m writing in “real time” from an airline flight. I’m on my way from Frankfurt to Toulouse in an Embraer 170 operated by Cirrus Airlines, on behalf of Lufthansa. For the time being, we’re VMC, climbing between two layers. Rays of sun occasionally get through the clouds, producing golden purple reflections. By the time I finished this sentence, we climbed through the second layer, which was more turbulent, and are now on top, with the falling sun on my right. I just regret I’m not in the cockpit…

I had a short look in when boarding. I like the clean, very streamlined design of the Embraer cockpit. To be honest, there are many things I like about Embraers. The passenger windows are large and in an almost square aspect ratio. I’m not sure if I must thank Embraer or Cirrus for the largest than usual seat pitch, for a taller than standard passenger like me, it’s very comfortable. I like not having to open my legs to fit in my personal space, and I appreciate not having my knees stuck against the seat in front of me.

It’s not my first Embraer flight, but the first in a 170. It’s a bit noisier than the 135 because the engines are under the wings. The 135 has tail-mounted engines and this reduces the cabin’s noise level. But even seated beside the engine, the level is bearable.

I reckon we took off close to the maximum take-off mass. There are only four empty seats and we refueled before departure. The acceleration was impressive and we were airborne after 30 seconds. As always in jets, the pitch for initial climb was surprising to me. I’m much more used to the 10° nose-up which are typical in light aircraft…

The view on top is great, the sun is slowly disappearing behind the horizon, coloring the sky with all possible nuances of blue, yellow and purple. The ride is smooth up there, and I regret that my camera is packed in the overhead luggage compartment… I just have one photo of our giant winglet – with not less than 6 static dischargers – that I took on ground before take off.

When I talk about my camera, I mean a real one, no the one integrated in my iPhone. I have it with me, not for the conference I’m joining for a couple of days, but because of the event planned on the second day. Our hosts there were kind enough to invite us to visit the Airbus 380 factory in Toulouse. As far as I understood, we’ll see the production halls from above. Stay tuned for more very soon.

For now, I’ll enjoy the sunset, and may take a nap before enjoying Toulouse by night.

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