Proceeding "Earnestly And Unwaveringly On Track"

Brazilian planemaker Embraer says its intensive flight test campaign for the first Phenom 100 aircraft continues at its Gavião Peixoto plant in Brazil. The very light jet first took off on July 26, 2007, and has completed 55 flight hours in 39 flights to date.

Test flights move towards expected certification, according to Embraer, with first deliveries scheduled for mid-2008.

“The Phenom 100 recently made its first public appearance. We are very pleased to show the market a best-in-class jet -- modern, comfortable, with excellent performance, and low operational costs,” said Luís Carlos Affonso, Embraer Executive Vice President – Executive Jets.

The Phenom 100 test campaign will include a fleet of four jets, for an accumulation of about 1,800 flight hours, 600 of which for the maturity campaign. The second Phenom 100 assembly is complete. The fully-instrumented jet will join the campaign soon to undergo tests to confirm flight qualities, stall procedures, high-speed characteristics, and general performance.

Meanwhile, the Phenom 300’s subassembly process has begun in Botucatu plant, Brazil, where the rear fuselage is currently being built. The program reached the landmark of more than 2,000 parts produced, and around 6,300 drawings have already being released by engineering to manufacturing planning.

In addition, the jet engine ran for the first time, on a test cell, at Pratt & Whitney Canada.

“The Phenom jets’ development program is steadily progressing and, as at the beginning, we continue earnestly and unwaveringly on track to conclude this important phase,” said Embraer Vice President, Programs – Executive Jets, Henrique Langenegger.

FMI: www.embraer.com