Phenom 100

The Embraer EMB-500 Phenom 100 is a very light business jet designed and produced by the Brazilian manufacturer Embraer. Announced in November 2005, it first flew on 26 July 2007 and received type certification in December 2008, with the first delivery on 24 December 2008. Powered by two rear-mounted Pratt & Whitney Canada PW600-series turbofans, it carries four to seven passengers over a range of 1,178 nmi (2,182 km) with four occupants. It has been adopted by several air arms as a trainer and light transport, and was stretched into the larger Phenom 300.

Development

Embraer's board approved development of very light and light jets in April 2005. The Phenom 100 name and a full-scale mock-up were presented at the NBAA convention on 9 November 2005, alongside selection of the Garmin G1000 electronic flight instrument system. The digital definition phase was completed in March 2006, and 50 orders were announced at EBACE in May 2006. Pratt & Whitney began testing the PW617-F in October 2006, delivering the first engines in March 2007. The prototype was rolled out in June 2007 and made its maiden flight from São José dos Campos on 26 July 2007, with most flight testing conducted at Gavião Peixoto; ice protection system and flap problems were identified during the programme. Certification by Brazil's ANAC and the FAA followed in December 2008. Embraer delivered two aircraft in 2008 against a planned 15, and cut its 2009 target from 120–150 to 97. A second assembly line opened in Melbourne, Florida, in 2008; more than 170 Phenoms had been built there by June 2016, and final assembly transferred entirely from Brazil by late 2016.

Design

The Phenom 100 is a low-wing cantilever monoplane with a T-tail and retractable tricycle landing gear. The oval fuselage encloses a 7.985 m³ cabin with a 1.5 m ceiling and a 1.56 m³ unpressurised cargo hold; structural life is 28,000 flight cycles or 35,000 hours, with 20% composite construction. Cabin interior design was contracted to BMW DesignworksUSA. Two rear-mounted PW617-F turbofans each produce 7.2 kN (1,695 lb) of takeoff thrust at ISA+10 °C, managed by dual FADEC, with an automatic performance reserve raising output to 1,777 lb after an engine failure on takeoff. The 100EV uses PW617F1-E engines rated at 7.7 kN (1,730 lbf) and the Prodigy Touch flight deck based on the Garmin G3000. Maximum speed is Mach 0.7, service ceiling 41,000 ft, and takeoff run 975 m at maximum takeoff weight.

Operational History

Military operators include the Brazilian Air Force, which received two aircraft in October 2019 under the designation U-100, and the Pakistan Air Force, with four used for VIP transport. The UK Ministry of Defence signed a contract with KBR-Elbit Systems on 2 February 2016 for five aircraft, designated Phenom T1, to train Royal Air Force and Royal Navy aircrew under the UK Military Flying Training System until 2033. Civil operators include Emirates, with five Phenom 100EVs for cadet training and charter work from 2023, and the Texas Department of Transportation, with four. Nine hull losses have occurred, including one fatal accident at Gaithersburg, Maryland, on 8 December 2014 that killed six.

Variants

• EMB-500: Embraer type-certificate designation for the aircraft.
• Phenom 100: Initial production variant with Garmin G1000 avionics and PW617F-E engines.
• Phenom 100E: Updated variant adding multifunction spoiler panels.
• Phenom 100EV Evolution: Lighter airframe with PW617F1-E engines rated at 1,730 lb and Garmin G3000 touchscreen flight deck, first delivered 31 March 2017.
• Phenom 100EX: 2023 update with cabin and avionics changes including a runway overrun awareness and alerting system.