Embraer’s all new very light jet successfully flies for the first time

São José dos Campos, July 26, 2007 – The Embraer Phenom 100, the new benchmark for the very light jet segment, flew today for the first time. Aircraft number 99801 was airborne at 10:55 a.m., when Capt. Antonio Bragança Silva called out “rotate” and pulled back the yoke.

“This is a key milestone for Embraer and a very special and rewarding moment for the entire Embraer team. To see our new baby bird taking off is highly satisfying and I congratulate every Embraer employee for making this possible.” remarked Frederico Fleury Curado, Embraer President and CEO.“When we unveiled the Phenom jets a little more than two years ago, we asserted to the business aviation community our commitment to be a long term player in the executive aviation market. The first flight of the Phenom 100 confirms this commitment and constitutes another step in Embraer´s strategy to serve our customers with a product line that spans the market.”

Upon deplaning from the Phenom 100, test pilots Capt. Antonio Bragança Silva and Capt. Eduardo Alves Menini, and flight test engineer Marcelo Toledo Basile, were satisfied with the maiden flight. “We had a successful first flight. All maneuvers and tests were performed as planned”, said Capt. Bragança. “We were very impressed with the Phenom 100 performance and flying characteristics, as well as the exceptional comfort and ergonomics of its cockpit design”. 

PP-XPH was flown for 1 hour and 36 minutes, and several maneuvers were performed to check the aircraft’s flight characteristics and systems operations. Members of all the engineering teams involved in the Phenom 100 program were on the ground, analyzing flight data and supporting the test crew on board the jet.

  

The two Pratt & Whitney Canada PW617F engines with 1,615 pounds of thrust each powering the Phenom 100 operated flawlessly during the entire flight.

The first flight was preceded by several weeks of ground tests. The results confirmed the Phenom 100’s operations throughout ground vibration, flight control, low and high-speed taxiing, and systems functionality and integration tests.

A full test program, including static and fatigue tests, will follow the maiden flight in order to obtain Brazil’s National Civil Aviation Agency (ANAC) certification, which will be followed by FAA certification, prior to entering service in mid-2008. EASA certification will be completed in the first semester of 2009.

The Phenom 100 was launched in May 2005, as a best-in-class executive jet in the very light category. The first metal cut of the Phenom 100 took place in May 2006, using a digital mock-up of the aircraft developed with CATIA V5 engineering software.

Sub-assembly manufacturing of the Phenom 100 was carried out at the Company’s Botucatu facility. Upon completion, fuselage and wings were delivered to Embraer’s main facilities in São José dos Campos. Last June 16, the jet was rolled out of the hangar, marking the conclusion of final assembly. A few days after the rollout, on June 21, the Phenom 100 was presented in brand colors for the first time.

About the Phenom Jets
The Phenom 100 and the Phenom 300 jets are best-in-class. Premium comfort, outstanding performance and low operating cost are key design drivers for these jets. Both aircraft will offer pilots and passengers the comfort and style previously unknown in their categories. The relaxing ambience is enhanced by the size of the generous windows and the most ample
cabin in their class. Onboard conveniences include a wardrobe or refreshment center, an aft cabin private lavatory with toiletry cabinet, and optional in-flight entertainment systems.  The pilot-friendly cockpit and the docile flying qualities of the two new aircraft will enable single-pilot operation. Drawing from Embraer’s design and engineering experience, the Phenom 100 and the Phenom 300 will be built for high utilization and availability. For added safety and reliability, both jets will offer a standard anti-skid brake-by-wire system.

Based on Garmin’s all-glass, fully-integrated avionics suite, the ProdigyTM flight deck offers Phenom jet operators more advantages than any other avionics suite on today’s market. The cockpit features three interchangeable 12-inch displays – two Primary Flight Displays (PFD) and one Multi-Function Display (MFD). The system integrates all primary flight, navigation,
communication, terrain, traffic, weather, engine instrumentation, and crew-alerting system data and presents the composite information in brilliant, sunlight-readable color on three high-definition displays.

The Phenom 100 will comfortably accommodate four passengers in a typical club configuration. The generous 55-cubic-foot (1.56-cubic-meter) total baggage capacity is big enough to store their luggage, golf bags and even skis.

The jet 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 nautical miles (1,335 miles or 2,148 km) with NBAA IFR reserves, 35 minutes, and 100 nm alternate; or 1,320 nautical miles (1,519 miles or 2,445 km) with NBAA VFR reserves, 45 minutes. The aircraft is capable of flying at 41,000 feet (12,497 meters) at a maximum operating speed of Mach 0.70 and is designed for short-field takeoffs. These characteristics will allow customers to fly nonstop from New York to Miami; Paris to Athens; Sao Paulo to Buenos Aires; and Taipei to Tokyo
at a lower cost than competitive aircraft, including turboprops.

The Phenom 100 is priced at US$ 2.98 million, based on January 2005 economic conditions for FAA certification and is expected to enter service in mid-2008.

The Phenom 300 jet will be configured to accommodate up to nine occupants. Its large 76 cubic feet (2.15 cubic meters) baggage capacity will conveniently transport passengers’ luggage, golf bags and skis.

The jet is powered by two Pratt & Whitney Canada PW535E engines with 3,200 pounds of thrust each. Its range with six occupants will be 1,800 nautical miles (3,334 km or 2,071 miles) with NBAA IFR reserves, 35 minutes and 100 nm alternate. The aircraft is capable of flying at 45,000 feet (13,716 meters) at a maximum operating speed of Mach 0.78 and is also
designed for short-field takeoffs. These capabilities will permit customers to fly nonstop from Los Angeles to Atlanta; London to Moscow; Sao Paulo to Santiago; and Bangkok to Shanghai at a lower cost than competitive aircraft.

The Phenom 300 is expected to enter service in mid-2009 and is priced at US$ 6.65 million, based on January 2005 economic conditions, for FAA certification.

More information about Embraer Executive Jets is available at www.EmbraerExecutiveJets.com.

Original Release

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