Joint Development Phase Wrapped Up

Embraer announced Tuesday its upcoming Phenom 100 program is progressing right along, with the recent completion of the Joint Definition Phase (JDP) -- a significant milestone.

"Embraer has a successful history of delivering quality aircraft that answer market needs," said Luís Carlos Affonso, Senior Vice-President for Executive Aviation. "We are committed to product excellence and we are dedicating 300 of our prime engineering teams and its resources to work for the business jet market in the design of the Phenom 100 to offer premium comfort with luxury, simplicity and power performance."

During the JDP, a team made up of more than 300 Embraer engineers and suppliers finalized the Phenom 100 product definition, and met with authorities to agree on methods for fulfilling certification requirements.

The Phenom 100 team completed the Preliminary Design Review and developed a digital mock-up of the aircraft using CATIA V5 engineering software. One of the first applications of the digital model was the automated milling of the full-scale mock-up at BMW Group DesignworksUSA.

The digital mock-up also provides a platform for engineering experts to complete structural and aerodynamic analyses, design production planning through digital manufacturing, and determine assembly logistics. The manufacturing processes and tooling established for the prototype will be honed for use in the production line.

From there, the Phenom 100 moves to the detailed design and certification phase. The first component drawing has been issued for the Quick Attachment Device, which connects the electric generator to the engine. During this phase, Embraer will make the first use of electronic signatures in a design project at Embraer, enabling a paperless and swift approval process.

During the JDP, Embraer also called upon seasoned pilots and aircraft owners from the US, Europe and Latin America at its headquarters in Brazil to evaluate the ergonomics of the Phenom 100 cockpit. Led by the program's engineering group, the advisory board validated all the Phenom aircraft systems, providing rich feedback on the architecture, design, functionality and the visual representation of instruments on the Prodigy flight deck.

"Based on feedback from the Man-Machine Interface Advisory Board, Embraer is confident that the 'Quiet & Dark' design concept of the Phenom’s Prodigy flight deck and its cutting edge technology will deliver superior situational awareness and intuitive single-pilot operation," said Hermann Ponte e Silva, Vice-President, Programs for Executive Aviation.

In 2005, Embraer selected an expert team of primary suppliers for the Phenom 100. BMW Group DesignworksUSA created the interior design of the Phenom 100, which will be powered by PW617F engines from Pratt & Whitney Canada. Garmin will supply the avionics for the Prodigy flight deck while Eaton Aerospace will provide hydraulics, flap actuators, thrust control, landing gear control lever, and landing gear hydraulic components.

FMI: www.embraer.com