Even before the creation of Embraer, the CTA team developed aircraft prototypes aiming at the possible manufacture in series in Brazil. Besides the Bandeirante and the Ipanema, which became important products in Embraer’s portfolio, the Urupema glider, whose project started in 1963, was also born in the CTA.

The Urupema was designed to be a Brazilian representative to be used by the country’s aero clubs in international sailing flight (or sky sailing) competitions. The construction of the prototype began in 1965, in the workshops of the CVV–CTA (Flight Sailing Club–TAC).

An elegant and slim aircraft, 7.50 m (24.60 ft) long and with a 15 m (49 ft) wingspan, the Urupema was a high-performance glider, reaching a maximum speed of 258 km/h (160 mph). Its wing was made out of a sandwich of wood and paper mush impregnated with epoxy resin. Its first flight was taken in January 1968, and it was approved by the CTA on December 15, 1971.

In 1969, the three CTA projects—Bandeirante, Ipanema and Urupema— were transferred to the newly created Embraer, and the Urupema EMB-400 was the first product to emerge from its production line and be delivered to the customer. Between 1971 and 1972, the Ministry of Aviation received 10 Urupemas, according to an order placed by the DAC (Department of Civil Aviation), and distributed them to Brazilian aviation clubs.