Embraer's Phenom 100 VLJ Flies for First Time

Embraer's Phenom 100 very light jet (VLJ) flew yesterday for the first time.

The first Phenom 100 -- given the manufacturer's serial number 99801 and the Brazilian registration identification PP-XPH -- became airborne at 10:55 a.m., when Capt. Antonio Braganca Silva called out "rotate" and pulled back the control yoke.

PP-XPH flew for 1 hour and 36 minutes. Test pilots Capt. Antonio Bragança Silva and Capt. Eduardo Alves Menini performed several maneuvers to check the aircraft's flight characteristics and systems operations.

Members of all the engineering teams involved in the Phenom 100 program analyzed flight data transmitted from the aircraft on a real-time basis and supported the test crew on board the jet.

Deplaning from the Phenom 100, Bragança, Menini and flight test engineer Marcelo Toledo Basile said they were satisfied with the maiden flight.

"We had a successful first flight. All maneuvers and tests were performed as planned," said Braganca. "We were very impressed with the Phenom 100 performance and flying characteristics, as well as the exceptional comfort and ergonomics of its cockpit design."

The Phenom 100's two Pratt & Whitney Canada PW617F turbofan engines -- each providing 1,615 pounds of thrust -- operated flawlessly throughout the flight, according to Embraer.

Several weeks of ground tests preceded the first flight. The results confirmed the Phenom 100's operations throughout ground vibration, flight control, low and high-speed taxiing, and systems functionality and integration tests.

A full test program, including static and fatigue tests, will follow the maiden flight in order to obtain Brazil's National Civil Aviation Agency (ANAC) certification. This will be followed by FAA certification, prior to entering service in mid-2008. European Aviation Safety Agency certification will be completed in the first half of 2009.

The Phenom 100 was launched in May 2005. The first metal cut of the Phenom 100 took place in May 2006, using a digital mock-up of the aircraft developed with CATIA V5 engineering software.

Embraer has considerable experience making regional airliners that must be robust enough to withstand high numbers of flights and flying hours on a daily basis and annually. Because of this experience, many aviation-industry analysts feel commercial air taxi companies planning high-utilization operations will find the Phenom 100 and its larger sister the Phenom 300 the most suitable aircraft among the new class of light jets.

Several would-be VLJ air taxi operators, including U.S. company Magnum Jet and European company JetBird, already have placed volume orders for the Phenom 100.

Sub-assembly manufacturing of the Phenom 100 was carried out at Embraer's Botucatu, Brazil facility. Upon completion, fuselage and wings were delivered to Embraer's main facilities at Sao Jose dos Campos.

The first Phenom 100 rolled out of the hangar June 16, marking the conclusion of final assembly. On June 21 Embraer presented the Phenom 100 in the manufacturer's brand colors for the first time.

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