Aircraft

The four-seat Embraer Phenom 100 very light jet (VLJ) flew for the first time today at the company’s headquarters in Sao Jose dos Campos, Brazil.

The maiden flight of 1 hour and 36 minutes launches a full flight test programme to obtain type certification by Brazil’s National Civil Aviation Agency and the US FAA before the first aircraft enters service in mid-2008, Embraer says.

“We had a successful first flight,” said Captain Antonio Braganca Silva. “All manoeuvres and tests were performed as planned.”

The Phenom 100, powered by two Pratt & Whitney Canada PW617F engines, operated smoothly during the first flight, which included several manoeuvres to check the aircraft’s flight characteristics and systems operations.

“To see our new baby bird taking of is highly satisfying and I congratulate every Embraer employee for making this possible,” said Frederico Fleury Curado, Embraer President and CEO.