Embraer’s Phenom 100 received its FAA certification in December 2008 with its entry into service following shortly afterwards. The very light jet and its Phenom 300 light jet stablemate have amassed over 850 orders to date.

Many analysts believe the Phenom 100 will raise the bar for the VLJ category. Featuring all of the comforts of a big business jet, the Phenom’s BMW-designed cabin is longer, taller and wider than its competitors, and features a conventional lavatory with a solid door rather than a curtained-off potty.

The Phenom 100 features Embraer’s Prodigy avionics and can carry up to eight people but is best suited to four in the cabin with two seats in the cockpit, and will be rated for single pilot operation.

Powered by two Pratt & Whitney Canada's PW617F engines, each with 1,615 pounds of thrust giving the Phenom 100 a comfortable air taxi range of 1,160nm (2,148km) with four people onboard and, with a maximum operating speed of 380kt (700kmh).

Heritage:

The Phenom 100 VLJ is the first of its kind from Embraer, with the company also building a light jet, the Phenom 300 which received its US certification in December 2009.

Embraer’s foray into the VLJ and light jet markets was announced at EBACE in Geneva in May 2005 and the “Phenom” name unveiled was unveiled at NBAA in Orlando six months later.

The Phenom 100 first flew on 26th July 2007 and will be built at Embraer’s Gavião Peixoto facility.