Civil Aviation Administration of China (CAAC) has awarded Embraer with a type certification for its Phenom 100 executive jet to operate the aircraft in the country.

"CAAC's certificate for the Phenom 100 is great news for Embraer and prospective customers. With a highly intuitive cockpit, docile handling and reliable systems, the Phenom 100 meets the needs of many customers, including single-pilot operators, flight schools and commercial operators alike," president of Embraer China, Guan Dongyuan, said in a statement.

The Phenom 100 can accommodate up to eight people and is powered by Pratt & Whitney PW617F-E engines.

The aircraft is equipped with NBAA IFR fuel reserves and has a range of 1,178nm (2,182km), which allows it to fly nonstop on Beijing-Tokyo, New York-Miami, and London-Tunis routes.

The aircraft's Prodigy flightdeck with Garmin avionics enables faster flight planning. It is one of the first systems that allows pilots to send text messages through the aircraft's avionics system and receive them from mobile phones and e-mail servers, Embraer said in a statement.

The airframer's iPreflight performance package makes flight planning safer, more convenient and optimised with functions that include access to information such as airport and approach charts, NOTAMs and METARs, Embraer added.

Since 2010, more than 150 Phenom 100s were delivered worldwide.

Source: Flight International