Phenom 300 Takes To Skies Earlier Than Forecast

Embraer's Phenom 300 successfully took to the air on its maiden flight Tuesday from the company’s Gavião Peixoto test runway. In the coming months, the first Phenom 300, serial number 99801, will participate in the flight test campaign along with three additional Phenom 300 jets. It is expected to enter service in the second semester of 2009.

"This first flight of the Phenom 300 executive jet is a very special and historic moment for all of us at Embraer, and I congratulate every Embraer employee for making this possible," said Frederico Fleury Curado, Embraer President and CEO. "We unveiled the Phenom jets nearly three years ago, making a clear statement to the business aviation community of our commitment to becoming a long-term player in the executive aviation market. The first flight of the Phenom 300 further confirms our determination and is another solid step in Embraer’s strategy to offer its customers a product line that fully meets increasingly demanding customer expectations."

The aircraft’s entirely digital development process, as well as the total commitment of the teams involved in the program, allowed moving up this flight, which had originally been scheduled for mid-year.

"We are thrilled with the Phenom 300’s successful first flight, which gives us great confidence for the upcoming program milestones," said Luís Carlos Affonso, Embraer Executive Vice President, Executive Jets. "The Phenom 300 will deliver an unequalled travel experience with the highest level of comfort and performance in the light jet category."

During the one hour and twenty-two minute flight, Captain John Sevalho Corção and Embraer Chief Pilot Eduardo Alves Menini -- who also was a crew member of the first flight of the Phenom 100 -- were accompanied by flight test engineer Jens Peter Theodor Geiger Wentz. The crew put the plane through a number of maneuvers, checking the aircraft’s flight characteristics and the operation of its systems. Simultaneously, the engineering teams involved in the Phenom 300 flight test campaign were analyzing flight data transmitted in real time and supporting the flight test crew from the ground.

"The crew is honored to have participated in this important event, representing the great work of hundreds of people whom we congratulate," said Capt. Corção. "The quality of the Phenom 300 design and onboard high technology provided a very smooth and pleasant flight, increasing the thrill of flying the aircraft for the first time."

On a schedule similar to that of the Phenom 100 very-light-jet, three Phenom 300 jets will spend approximately 1,400 hours in the certification program, and a fourth aircraft will be dedicated to the maturity campaign. The tests to be conducted with the 99801 aircraft will focus on performance and defining the aerodynamic configuration. Other tests, such as those dealing with systems functions and reliability, vibrations on the ground, flying qualities, flutter, water spray, single-point refueling system, and so on, will be shared by the first three test aircraft.

FMI: www.embraer.com