Story ID: 
Embraer’s Phenom Readies for First Flight
By: AIN Staff
Caption: Brazilian airframer Embraer’s new Phenom 100 very light jet is currently undergoing ground testing in preparation for its first flight.
Word Count: 129
Brazilian airframer Embraer’s new Phenom 100 very light jet is currently undergoing ground testing in preparation for its first flight. The VLJ has already concluded its engine run, which saw the Phenom’s two Pratt & Whitney Canada PW617F engines installed and tested on the airframe. Upcoming are the ground vibration test, where the airplane will be suspended on elastic cables while flight controls are evaluated with full surface loads, and low- and high-speed taxi runs to validate the steering, braking and emergency systems on the ground. Pending successful conclusion of these tests, the first flight for the nearly $3 million, four-passenger jet will occur within the next month, the manufacturer said. Embraer expects to wrap up the certification process for the Phenom 100 by the middle of next year.