Description:
Embraer announced its intention to develop a new product line of smaller jets for the commercial market on May 3, 2005. Under this effort the Light Jet and the Very Light Jet projects were launched with the aim to carry from 6 to 8 passengers or up to 10,000 pounds (4,500 kilograms). Embraer will offer a variety of solutions tied to this project ranging from sales to full-scale customer support services. Embraer board of Directors approved the project in April 2005 and established an initial funding for Light Jet and Very Light Jet worth about $235 million
Light Jet and Very Light Jet will feature premium comfort, outstanding performance and low operating costs. High utilization and high availability are other key capabilities that the Brazilian company will provide to its Light Jets. A single-pilot user-friendly cockpit will enable aircraft utilization by experienced pilots and less experienced pilots. According to Embraer estimates, the light jet market (up to nine passenger) will represent over 3,000 aircraft over the next decade (2010-2020).
Very Light Jet will carry eight people and will be powered by two Pratt & Whitney Canada PW617F engines rated at 1,615 pounds of thrust. With four people onboard it will be able to travel 1,160 nautical miles (2,150 km) at Mach 0.7 and 41,000-ft (12,500 meters) of altitude. The Very Light Jet will be capable of performing short distance takeoffs. The entry into service date has been set for mid-2008 valued at approx. $2.75 million.
In November 2005 Embraer selected Garmin G1000 integrated avionics suite to equip its Light Jet and Very Light Jet. On November 9, 2005 Embraer re-named the very light and light jets as the Phenom 100 and Phenom 300 respectively.
On May 3, 2006, Geneva-based JetBird agreed on the purchase of 50 Embraer Phenom 100 jets and placed an option for an additional 50 aircraft. The option allows conversion from Phenom 100 to Phenom 300 according to JetBird needs. The firm order aircraft contract was valued at $140 million which will double ($280 million) if all the options are converted into firm order aircraft. JetBird was expected to take delivery of the first Phenom 100s in April 2009.
On 17 July 2006, Kuwait-based United Aviation signed an agreement with Embraer for one Phenom 100, one Phenom 300 and one Legacy 600 business jet to be delivered in 2008, 2010 and 2006 respectively.
On 1 August 2006, Embraer and Gold Aviation Services of Fort Lauderdale, Florida, agreed on the sale of five Phenom 100 jets plus another 10 Phenom 100 or 300 aircraft as options.
On 18 August 2006, Embraer announced the sale of one Phenom 100 and one Phenom 300 jets to ABC Taxi Aereo a subsidiary of Algar Group in Brazil. Deliveries were expected to occur in the first half of 2009 and 2010 respectively. Through this order ABC Taxi Aereo became the first Latin American operator for the Phenom jets.
On 5 September 2006, Houston-based Magnum Jet placed an order for 50 Phenom 100 executive jets and took an option for 50 additional aircraft. These options can be converted either into Phenom 100 or Phenom 300. The firm order aircraft are valued at $137.5 million and the total contract value could be as high as $275 million including the 50 aircraft options. Deliveries of Phenom 100 jets to Magnum Jet are expected to start in early 2009.
On 18 October 2006, Eagle Creek Aviation Services of the United States placed an order for 12 Phenom 100 and four Phenom 300 light jets with an option for an additional five aircraft. Valued at $61 million first delivery is planned for the end of 2008.
On 17 October 2006, Embraer announced at the NBAA 2006 meeting that fractional aircraft shares provider AVANTAIR had placed an order worth $57 million for 20 Phenom 100 executive jets. First delivery was scheduled in June 2009.
On 18 October 2006, Valencia-based (Spain) Wondair placed an order for 24 Phenom 100 executive jets with an option for an additional 12 aircraft. The contract was valued at $70 million or $105 will all options executed with deliveries starting in the second half of 2009. The contract also allows Wondair to convert the Phenom 100 into Phenom 300 models.
Specifications Accommodation: Crew 1, Passengers 8
Engine/s Performance: Thrust 3,230 lb (1,465 kg)
Performance: Ceiling 12,500 m (41,010 ft), Max Range 2,150 km (1,161 nm), Top Speed 232 mps (Mach 0.70)
Brazil / 1 
Finland / 2 
Guatemala / 1 
India / 20 
Ireland / 57 
Jordan / 1 
Kuwait / 2 
Nigeria / 2 
Spain / 32 
Switzerland / 50 
United Kingdom / 1 
United States of America / 94