EMB ERJ 145 ER/LR
Training / Qualification; Situational Awareness; Human-Machine Interface
Aircraft Equipment Problem Critical; Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural Maintenance
Flight Crew Rejected Takeoff; Flight Crew Returned To Gate; General Maintenance Action
Procedure; Company Policy; Aircraft; Environment - Non Weather Related
As we lined up for takeoff on 15L we got a RUD SYS 1 INOP message. We taxied off the runway and the Captain called Maintenance over his phone to troubleshoot the issue. Maintenance was able to give a system reset which cleared the message and everything appeared normal. We taxied back for takeoff. On our takeoff roll just prior to 80 knots the same EICAS message returned so the Captain initiated an abort. A swerving to the left was noticed as the message appeared. We taxied off the runway; ran the appropriate checklists and returned to the gate. The biggest threat is the substandard maintenance at our airline now has. In addition the FAA has lack of regulatory oversight coupled with ridiculous rest rules that essentially force pilots to fly tired in a poorly maintained fleet. These threats will eventually lead to a fatal accident and it is a shame that nobody cares. The FAA is taking their time to enforce the new rest rules that everybody knows we need to operate safely. To sum up the maintenance issues this company now has as I write this report one of our aircraft sits on the tarmac with its cowling open due to the diversion from the engine failure it just had. Prior to this it has been dual cracked windshields upon rotation and multiple nose wheel steering runaways. I know this company can have better and safer maintenance than it does now.
An EMB-145 pilot reported a RUD SYS 1 EICAS during taxi; which they reset with Maintenance's help; but the alert recurred during the takeoff so the Captain rejected the takeoff and returned to the gate. Poor maintenance in general was reported.