ZS-SOB

The Embraer 120 Brasilia has proved to be a popular, relatively high speed yet comparatively inexpensive to operate and purchase regional airliner. Embraer first began design work on a new regional turboprop airliner in the late 1970s when the company studied stretching its EMB 121 Xingu corporate turboprop to a 25 seat regional airliner. While this was the first aircraft to bear the EMB 120 designation (it was named the Araguia), the production EMB 120 is an all-new aircraft. Design studies of the EMB 120 began in September 1979, first flight of a PW115 powered prototype took place on July 27 1983, and entry into service was in October 1985.