Embraer announced on Dec. 15 that its Phenom 100 very light jet has earned FAA type certification. This follows its award of Brazilian certification last week.
Introduced in 2005, the Phenom 100 was originally projected to have a maximum speed of 390 knots, a maximum range of 1,160 nm, and a landing distance of 3,000 feet at maximum landing weight. But certification flight testing resulted in an improvement in the airplane’s performance specifications. Now Embraer is listing the Phenom 100 as having a top speed of 390 knots, a max range of 1,335 nm, and a landing distance of 2,699 feet. All other design goals have met the objectives set three years ago.
The Phenom 100 is certified to a maximum operating altitude of 41,000 feet and is powered by two Pratt & Whitney Canada PW617F-E turbofan engines of 1,695 pounds of thrust each. Range with four passengers is advertised as being 1,178 nm with NBAA IFR fuel reserves, and between the aft baggage area and nose baggage compartments total storage space is 71 cubic feet.
The cockpit features Embraer’s Prodigy flight deck, which is based on the Garmin G1000 integrated avionics suite. There are two primary flight displays and one multifunction display, all of which have 12-inch-diagonal dimensions.
Prior to Jan. 5, 2009, the Phenom 100 is priced at $2.98 million. After that date, the price jumps to $3.18 million for FAA certification, and $3.25 million for Brazilian certification. Once completed, a final assembly plant and completion center at the Melbourne, Florida, International Airport will serve many customers located in the United States.
Thomas A. Horne
Related Articles
