Celebrating a Milestone: Embraer Achieves 1,700th Ipanema Delivery

Embraer has marked another important milestone in its extensive and impactful history in agricultural aviation by delivering the 1,700th Ipanema cropduster. This milestone aircraft, an EMB-203 variant, was produced at the company's Botucatu facility in São Paulo and is destined for its new owner in Imperatriz, Maranhão, where it will be utilised for various agricultural spraying tasks.

For an aircraft that has become a well-known and reliable presence over Brazil's farmlands, achieving 1,700 deliveries signifies not just longevity but also exceptional consistency. Holding about 60% of the agricultural aviation market share, the Ipanema stands as the clear leader in its field. This dominance arises from a combination of tradition, intelligent engineering advancements, and a dedicated focus on meeting the practical needs of farmers who depend on dependable, efficient equipment to sustain high-output food production.

Sany Onofre, leader of Embraer’s Agricultural Aviation division, emphasised the symbolic weight of this latest handover. “The delivery of unit 1,700 represents an important milestone in the history of this aircraft, which is synonymous with high productivity, efficiency, low operating cost and sustainability in the sector,” she said. “We are extremely proud to see how Ipanema continues to contribute strongly to the development of the agricultural sector over the years.”

A key feature of the Ipanema is its ethanol-powered engine, marking it as the world’s first certified production aircraft to run on ethanol. Well before sustainable fuels became a major topic in aviation, the Ipanema demonstrated that agricultural aviation could combine performance with environmental responsibility. For operators, ethanol offers significant savings, contributing to lower operating costs while enhancing efficiency and reliability in the field.

An all-electric demonstrator derived from the EMB-203 has been designed to further Embraer's research into zero-emission propulsion. Developed in collaboration with Brazilian technology company WEG for the electric motor system and EDP for battery support, the aircraft has already commenced flight-testing at Embraer’s Gavião Peixoto facility.

Embraer states that over 180 Ipanemas have been sold in just the past three years, indicating strong and increasing demand from agricultural operators. The latest version, the EMB-203, features upgraded avionics, structural improvements, and a range of equipment designed to boost application accuracy and productivity.

The manufacturer states that the aircraft's efficiency matches the performance of four large ground-based sprayers operating at the same time. The Ipanema can cover over 200 hectares per hour, providing consistently high-quality spraying without the typical disadvantages of ground equipment, such as soil compaction, increased pest spread and difficulty accessing challenging terrain. According to Embraer, this can lead to sizable yield improvements for farmers who use the aircraft effectively.

While Embraer continues to develop new technologies and expand the Ipanema fleet, the company is actively enhancing flight safety within the agricultural aviation sector. The manufacturer frequently engages in significant agricultural events, where the Ipanema team advocates for safety by emphasising preventive inspections, operational best practices, pilot preparedness, and maintenance awareness.

Embraer ensures that every agricultural pilot training course in Brazil includes a dedicated safety lecture, delivered by Ipanema customer support specialists. This initiative fosters a safety-first mindset early in pilots' careers, highlighting the importance of disciplined decision-making. This focus is vital in agricultural aviation, where pilots often fly at low altitudes, high speeds, and in swiftly changing conditions.

The success of the Ipanema also mirrors the larger narrative of Embraer. Established in 1969, Embraer has evolved into a top global aerospace manufacturer, having delivered over 9,000 aircraft spanning commercial, executive, defence and agricultural sectors. Currently, an Embraer aircraft departs every 10 seconds globally, transporting over 150 million passengers annually.

Embraer, widely recognised globally for its commercial jets seating up to 150 passengers and its range of military aircraft, still holds its agricultural aviation sector as a significant and proud aspect of its identity. With industrial facilities and support networks across the Americas, Africa, Asia and Europe, Embraer consistently promotes innovation, performance, and service in all its business areas.

With the 1,700th Ipanema now in service, the aircraft’s enduring role in shaping modern agribusiness is clearer than ever—and its legacy shows no sign of slowing.