Evolved Michelin Air X tyre homologated for E170

Following a rigorous battery of tests, Embraer has approved a new version of the Michelin Air X radial as original equipment for its Embraer E170. The Michelin Air X M19602 is thus now available for the Embraer E170 main gear.

The Embraer E170 was originally fitted with cross-ply tyres when launched in 2004. In 2010, the Michelin Air X M19601 became the first radial tyre to be approved on the E170.

Since then, Michelin has worked hand-in-hand with Embraer to better understand the landing gear twin tyres’ sensitivity to ‘shimmy’ (a system resonance, especially during high speed descents and landings). The new tyre has been modified to desensitise this effect, with Michelin engineers using a technology imported from bicycle tyres. This change heralded the development of the Michelin Air X M19602, which has been tested for landings up to 190 knots (352 km/h), and the re-homologation of Michelin radial tyres on the Embraer E170.