Embraer Flies Phenom 100

The Phenom 100, Embraer’s four-place, $2.98 million entry into the very light jet market, flew for the first time on July 26 from São Jos dos Campos, Brazil. According to the company, the one hour, thirty-six minute flight was successful. Test pilot captain Antonio Bragança Silva said, “We had a successful first flight. All maneuvers and tests were performed as planned.” Additional flight testing, as well as static and fatigue testing, will lead to the jet’s scheduled certification in Brazil and the U.S. Embraer is planning for that to happen in the middle of next year, followed by EASA certification by the spring of 2009.