Phenom 300 Moving Toward 2009 Certification

Kerry Lynch

Embraer has added a fourth test aircraft to the certification program for the Phenom 300 light jet, and the Brazilian plane maker says the aircraft is on track for certification later this year. The four aircraft, operated out of the company's flight test center at the Gaviao Peixoto plant in Brazil, have accrued more than 300 hours of flight-testing, Embraer said, adding that it expects the certification program to involve a total of 1,400 hours.

Two of the test Phenom 300s are fully instrumented, one is equipped with basic interior and flight-test instrumentation and another with interior furnishings, which will be used for function and reliability tests and in the maturity campaign.

Embraer completed the in-flight engine thrust determination and restart, fire extinguishing, fuel tests and artificial ice shapes, among other test operations. The aircraft has reached an altitude of 45,000 feet while maintaining cabin altitude of 6,600 feet. The Phenom 300 also has reached maximum cruise speed of 450 knots (KTAS). Tests that are ongoing include aerodynamics and natural ice, as well as data collection for flight simulator development. Embraer expects lightning strike, High Intensity Radiated Field, external noise, crosswinds and cold soak tests to begin soon.

Embraer has a sales backlog for more than 800 of its Phenom 100 very light jets and Phenom 300 light jets. Deliveries of the Phenom 100, which achieved certification in December, are under way. The Phenom 100 can hold up to eight people and fly up to 1,178 nautical miles with NBAA IFR fuel reserves. The Phenom 300 was designed for up to 10 occupants and has an 1,800-nm range.

Photo credit: Embraer