Embraer presents new jet; first flight scheduled for 2nd half of the year
DCI - 04/15/2008
Embraer has concluded the assembling of the first Phenom 300 executive jet last Saturday, in the unit of Gavião Peixoto, only ten months after the presentation of the Phenom 100, in June, 2007. The first flight has not been confirmed yet, but it may take place this year between June and August. According to Embraer, the family of Phenom 100 and 300 already have 750 jets sold and the order backlog of the company in the category of executive jets amounts to US$ 4.5 billion. The presentation precedes a series of ground tests to prepare the jet for its first flight. The final assembly of the second Phenom 300 has already started in the same plant. "The Phenom 300 features greater comfort, the best performance of the category, low operating cost and will establish a new standard for the Light Jet category", evaluates Embraer's Executive Vice-President of Executive Aviation Market, Luis Carlos Affonso. The first metal cut of the Phenom 300 was made in the end of March, 2007. The setting up of the wings and engines took place in February, 2008, and the first electric start in March. The subsections have been assembled in the Botucatu Unit. Unlike the Phenom 100, the final assembly of the Phenom 300 was made in the Gavião Peixoto unit, where the test campaign will also be carried out. More than 400 engineers have taken part in the jet program for the Phenom 300, which will transport up to nine passengers and will be equipped with PW535E engines from the Canadian Pratt & Whitney, each with 3,200 pounds of push The aircraft will have also be equipped with a brake-by-wire system to give it more safety. The flight deck has three 12-inch interchangeable monitors and a system that integrates all primary information concerning the flight, navigation, communication, topology, air traffic, meteorology, engine instrumentation, and crew alert systems, and it presents the consolidated information in three high brightness colorful monitors which are fully legible at sun light.