First Flight Test of Phenom 300 Two Months Ahead Of
Schedule
Embraer Executive Vice President, Executive Jets, Luis Carlos
Affonso briefed media Monday on the flight test, certification and
maturity campaigns for its line of six executive jets during its
third year of participation at AirVenture.
Along with establishment of a substantial support network of 45
service centers for the line and the imminent ground breaking for a
state-of-the-art production facility for the Phenom 100 and 300
executive jets in Melbourne, FL, Mr. Affonso stated that, "Embraer
remains committed to business aviation as a path for growth" for
the company.
He went on to say that 30% of Embraer's total corporate backlog
-- or $6B -- is in its aviation sector and that almost half of that
backlog is in the North American market.
With five new aircraft currently in development alongside the
successful Legacy 600, already operation in 23 countries with more
than 140 aircraft delivered, Mr. Affonso stated that all goals and
commitments for the five new aircraft are currently "on track."
Embraer plans to invest $50 million to build a new 150,000
square foot state-of-the-art production facility in Melbourne, FL
to support expansion of the Company's Executive Jets business. This
facility will be capable of producing both the Phenom 100 entry
level and the Phenom 300 light executive jets as well as a paint
shop and delivery and customer design center. Architectural work is
currently in progress and ground breaking is imminent. Mr. Affonso
stated that because Embraer is a global Company, the new Florida
base is "symbolic." First deliveries from the Melbourne facility
are planned for 2010. This facility is expected to create some 200
skilled employee positions by 2011.
First flight of the Phenom 300 light
executive jet occurred on April 28, 2008, two months ahead of
schedule. The aircraft will enter service in the second half of
2009. A Phenom 300 mockup is displayed at the Embraer AirVenture
booth in AeroShell Square. This aircraft is designed to appeal to
corporations flying large turboprops and light jets and can
accommodate up to ten occupants in the largest cabin volume in the
light jet category.
First announced in May 2005, the entry level Phenom 100
executive jet first flew in July 2007. The four aircraft flight
test fleet has now accrued over 1,000 hours in the flight test and
certification process with certification expected this year. The
Phenom 100 will be eligible for single pilot operation. The first
Phenom 100 aircraft to be delivered to customers are already in the
sub-assembly production phase.
Between the Phenom 100 and Phenom 300 aircraft, about 800 orders
have been placed as of the end of June 2008.
The midlight Legacy 450 and the midsize Legacy 500 (shown at
right) executive jets are clean-sheet designed aircraft which offer
a six foot stand-up cabin with a flat floor, fly-by-wire flight
controls and Rockwell Collins state-of-the-art Pro Line Fusion
avionics suite. The Legacy 450 will offer a compete refreshment
center while the Legacy 500 will include a fully equipped wet
galley. Both aircraft will offer an externally serviced aft
lavatory.
The Legacy 500 is expected to enter service in the second half
of 2012 with the Legacy 450 following in 2013.