April 16, 2008 Brazilian Aircraft manufacturer Embraer has finished assembling its first Phenom 300 light-jet. The US$6.65 million plane expected to enter service in the second half of 2009 following a planned series of tests before its first flight.
Final assembly of the Phenom 300 jet has begun at the Gavião Peixoto plant in São Paulo, where the test campaign will take place. The first metal cut of the Phenom 300 occurred in March 2007, with wings and engines installed in February this year, and the first electrical poweron occurring in March.
The Phenom 300 is designed for short-field takeoffs, and sports two Pratt & Whitney Canada PW535E engines, each with 3,200 pounds of thrust. The aircraft can fly at 45,000 feet, at a maximum speed of Mach 0.78, and at a range of 1,800 nautical miles with six passengers and can accommodate up to a total of nine occupants. This translates to luxurious non-stop flights from London to Iceland, the Azores, Cairo, Tel Aviv or Moscow.
The aircraft features a standard anti-skid brake-by-wire system and the Prodigy flight deck, based on Garmin's fully-integrated avionics suite, features three interchangeable 12-inch, high definition displays – two Primary Flight Displays, and one Multi-Function Display – that provide primary flight data, navigation, communication, terrain, traffic, weather, engine instrumentation, and crew-alerting system data in brilliant, sunlight-readable color. The pilot-friendly cockpit and the docile flying qualities of the new aircraft will enable single pilot operation.
The Phenom 300 has a 76-cubic-foot baggage capacity, and the most ample cabin space with an interior designed by BMW Group DesignworksUSA which includes a wardrobe or refreshment center, a private lavatory, and satellite communications.
“We are thrilled to see the Phenom 300 become a reality,” said Luís Carlos Affonso, Embraer Executive Vice President, Executive Jets. “The Phenom 300, with its premium comfort, best-in-class performance and low operating cost, will set a new standard for the Light Jet category.”
