Deliveries Will Begin In The Coming Weeks

Embraer’s Phenom 300 light executive jet was certified Monday by the FAA, which granted its Type Certificate following the same action by Brazil’s National Civil Aviation Agency (Agência Nacional de Aviação Civil – ANAC) on December 3. All design goals were met or surpassed, and first deliveries should begin in the coming weeks.

“We are pleased to announce the certification of the Phenom 300 by the FAA,” said Luís Carlos Affonso, Embraer Executive Vice President, Executive Jets. “With unique and innovative features for the light jet segment, the competitiveness of the Phenom 300 is further enhanced by the recently announced improvements in runway length, range, speed, and fuel consumption.”

The Phenom 300’s maximum range, originally designed to be 1,800 nautical miles (3,334 kilometers), has been extended to 1,971 nautical miles with six occupants and NBAA IFR reserves. Runway performance also improved significantly over the initial targets. Takeoff field length, at maximum takeoff weight (MTOW), is now 3,138 feet, considerably better than the original 3,700 feet, while landing distance at maximum landing weight (MLW) improved to 2,621 feet, or 329 feet shorter than the targeted 2,950 feet.

For flights into and out of airports with restrictions due to high temperatures or high elevations, the Phenom 300 exceeded its range targets. For example, the airplane can take off at its maximum takeoff weight and achieve its maximum range capability out of Aspen, Colorado, U.S. Climb performance also surpassed expectations, allowing the aircraft to depart from sea level at MTOW and reach its operational ceiling of 45,000 feet in only 26 minutes. Powered by two fuel-efficient Pratt & Whitney Canada PW535-E engines, the Phenom 300’s fuel consumption is as much as 6% better than originally estimated.

The jet’s top speed of 453 knots TAS was validated during the flight test campaign. Certified without restrictions, the Phenom 300 is able to fly according to Visual and Instrument Flight Rules, day or night, and into known or forecast icing conditions. The aircraft also operates well within Stage IV external noise requirements, having been certified with a cumulative margin of 24 EPNdB.

The Prodigy flight deck is built around the Garmin G1000 avionics suite. Based on a “quiet and dark” cockpit philosophy, the Phenom 300 carries Embraer’s accumulated experience in human factors design, offering enhanced situational awareness and automation for a low workload, enabling single-pilot operation. The airplane is designed for a life of 35,000 flight hours, and offers such characteristics as: Smartprobe, increasing reliability and reducing maintenance tasks; carbon brakes, permitting 60% less replacements; brake-by-wire system; hot bleed anti-icing on the horizontal stabilizers and wings; single-point refueling; and externally serviced lavatory.

Embraer’s Executive Jets Customer Support and Services structure currently consists of six factory-owned and more than 30 authorized service centers, worldwide. For parts distribution, Embraer has distribution centers in Louisville, Kentucky, operated by UPS Supply Chain Solutions, and in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. Furthermore, Embraer has centers in  Brazil, France, Singapore, and the United Arab Emirates. Embraer CAE Training Services joint venture provides Phenom 100 and Phenom 300 pilot and maintenance training. The Company’s support structure covers flight operations, technical, maintenance, and material aid, as well as the Customer Support Contact Center, that minimizes downtime by quickly and efficiently applying the appropriate resources to critical situations.

Effective February 1, 2010, the list price of the Phenom 300 will be US$ 8.14 million, under 2010 economic conditions, for FAA certified aircraft.

FMI: www.embraer.com