Embraer hopeful of Phenom 100 certification by next month
12 Sep 2008
The Brazilian aircraft manufacturer Embraer has expressed hope that the certification of its Phenom 100 very light jet could happen next month, in time for a formal ceremony at the NBAA Convention that is scheduled to be held from 6 – 8 October at Orlando, Florida.
Five months ago, Embraer had said that the original provider would not be able to meet delivery schedules, and had switched to Goodrich for pilot seats and to DeCrane Aerospace for passenger seats. Work remaining for the certification includes paperwork validating software which controls the Eaton flap actuators, and certification of seats from new suppliers.
Cláudio Galdo Camelier, vice president for market intelligence at Embraer Executive Jets said that the program is on track for its first customer delivery in early November. The preassembly plant at Botucatu, Brazil, has already ramping up production, and Embraer anticipates delivery of 10 to 15 ''entry level'' Phenom 100s by the end of the year.
Camelier said deliveries of the Phenom 100 and 300 could be around 150 aircraft next year, as their combined order book has orders for over 800 airplanes, two-thirds of which are Phenom 100s. Flight tests are in progress for the larger Phenom 300, which is slated for mid-2009 certification.
