Yeah, We Were Duped -- Sort Of

At a standing-room-only, model-studded press event held this morning in the exhibitor hall at NBAA 2005, Embraer literally took the wraps off their two upcoming light jet aircraft.

"Ladies and gentlemen, it is a pleasure to unveil... the Phenom 100," said Embraer President and CEO Maurício Botelho, as the silken sheet covering a full-scale cabin mockup of the VLJ -- expected to enter the market in mid-2008 -- was pulled back, revealing the sharp lines of the fuselage and elegant interior appointments created by BMW DesignworksUSA.

Botelho made similar remarks as Senior VP for Executive Aviation Luis Carlos Affonso pulled the cover back on the Phenom 300 Light Jet entry.

"When selecting a name for Embraer’s new executive jet family, we found the Phenom name came out very strongly, and better translated its superior characteristics and ability to offer an unbound flight experience," Botelho (right) later told ANN. "The Phenom 100 and Phenom 300 reaffirm Embraer’s commitment to the business aviation market, started when we launched the Legacy, setting new standards for cabin space and comfort, privacy, dispatch reliability and performance."

Of course, the Phenom names contradict an earlier report by Aero-News, speculating the Light Jet's name was going to be the Legacy 600. The young cub reporter who excitedly made this speculation has since been told to stand quietly in the corner, and await further instructions.

He wasn't completely wrong, though, as Embraer also revealed the current Legacy executive jet will be renamed -- you guessed it -- the Legacy 600, in order "to be more in line with the Company’s new executive jet naming structure," according to an Embraer release.

For 2006, the Legacy 600 (above) will be further enhanced with the enhanced vision system (EVS), LED lighting, cabin acoustic insulation improvements, electronic flight bag (EFB), new radar with extended coverage, and a 3-D information and entertainment system. Storage features have also been added to the Legacy 600's baggage compartment, the largest of the industry.

FMI: www.embraer.com