Embraer's first Phenom 100 VLJ heads for final assembly

São José dos Campos, Brazil: Embraer's first four- to six-passenger $2.75 million Phenom 100 very light jet (VLJ), launched by the firm in May 2005, is now headed for final assembly. The second Phenom VLJ is already in the initial assembly process.

Two plants, both located in Botucatu, Brazil, are being upgraded and expanded by 95,800 sq ft to provide facilities for sub-assembly lines of the Phenom 100, and the derivative Phenom 300 light jet. Installation of the VLJ's two Pratt & Whitney Canada PW617 engines is expected this month.

According to Embraer, production and design planning of Phenom jets are entirely digitised, allowing for pre-production parts manufacturing forecasts ("virtual" production) and a smooth production process.

The Phenom 100's first flight is planned for the summer, with the twinjet entering service by mid-2008. The Phenom 300 light jet development process lags the 100's by one year on both counts.

Last year, Embraer announced it had more than 340 orders for the Phenom 100 and 300 light jets combined and also projected sales of 2,715 of its light jets between 2008 and 2016.