First Phenom 100 VLJ rolls out of Embraer works

Paris: Embraer has said that it rolled out its first assembled Phenom 100 very light jet (VLJ) last Saturday, with the event marking the completion of the assembly and systems-integration phases of the aircraft.

According to Embraer, the prototype will now go to the paint booth, before it begins a series of ground tests over the next few weeks in preparation for its first flight, scheduled for "mid-2007."

The Phenom 100 project was launched in May 2005, with the first metal-cutting taking place in May 2006. The aircraft is scheduled to enter service in mid-2008.

"We are thrilled to see the Phenom 100 become a reality," said Luís Carlos Affonso, Embraer executive vice president, Executive Jets. "We are confident that the Phenom 100's premium comfort, outstanding performance and low operating cost will impress our customers and will become the benchmark of the Very Light Jet segment."

The Phenom 100, the first of the two new light or very light jets, along with the Phenom 300, that Embraer has in development, 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, and according to Embraer will be optimized for short-field operations.

Embraer expects the Phenom 100 to be joined by the Phenom 300 in mid-2009, which will be a slightly larger version. Both jets will feature Garmin's 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 will be priced at $2.98 million, effective July 1, 2007.