Embraer last Saturday rolled out its first assembled Phenom 100 very light jet (VLJ), joining an already-crowded field in this much-hyped market category. The event marked completion of assembly and systems-integration phases; the prototype will now go to the paint booth and then begin a series of ground tests over the next few weeks in preparation for its first flight, scheduled for “mid-2007,” according to the company. Subassembly manufacturing of the Phenom 100 was carried out at the companys Botucatu facility. The fuselage and wing were manufactured there and delivered to Embraers main facility in So Jos dos Campos, where they were successfully mated in late March 2007. The Phenom 100 was launched in May 2005; metal was first cut in May 2006. Embraer plans for the Phenom 100 to enter service in mid-2008. We are thrilled to see the Phenom 100 become a reality, said Lus Carlos Affonso, Embraer executive vice president, Executive Jets. We are confident that the Phenom 100s premium comfort, outstanding performance and low operating cost will impress our customers and will become the benchmark of the Very Light Jet segment.The first of two new light or very light jets Embraer has in development, the Phenom 100 is powered by two Pratt & Whitney Canada PW617F engines with 1,615 pounds of thrust each. Its range with four occupants will be 1,160 nm with NBAA IFR reserves. The aircraft is designed to cruise at FL410 at a maximum operating speed of Mach 0.70; Embraer says it will be optimized for short-field operations. In mid-2009, Embraer expects the Phenom 100 to be joined by the Phenom 300, a slightly larger brother. Both jets will feature Garmins all-glass, fully integrated Prodigy flight deck, based on three interchangeable 12-inch screens providing two primary flight displays and one multi-function display. The system integrates all primary flight, navigation, communication, terrain, traffic, weather, engine instrumentation and crew-alerting system data. The Phenom 100 is priced at $2.85 million based on January 2005 economic conditions, or $2.98 million, effective July 1, 2007.
