The Embraer EMB-505 Phenom 300 is a light business jet developed by the Brazilian aerospace major Embraer. In May 2005, Embraer announced two new clean-sheet designs for an entry-level jet and light jet, later designated as Phenom 100 and Phenom 300 respectively. The Phenom 300 is not a stretched version of the Phenom 100, but an independent clean-sheet design with swept-back wings and winglets. However, it does have high commonality with the Phenom 100.

Embraer entered the executive jet market with an ambition to exceed expectations and create jets that would come to define each of their categories. The Phenom 300 is no exception. With a clean-sheet design, best-in-class performance, comfort and excellent utility, it defines the light jet category. This executive jet was designed to outperform the competition in just about every area and to reach new heights in the light jet category. The spacious and elegant interior allows passengers to travel in total comfort and style. The aircraft incorporates the latest technologies, and as compared with others in its class, flies faster and offers a lower cabin pressure altitude of 6,600 ft while flying at 45,000 feet. It is no surprise that the Phenom 300 makes complete business sense. As per the operators, the aircraft is fast, fuel efficient, reliable and spacious. It offers excellent performance and is easy to maintain.

Milestones in Development

With first metal cut in March 2007, the prototype was rolled out in April 2008 and soon thereafter undertook its maiden flight. The Phenom 300 was certified as the Embraer EMB-505 by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) of the US on December 14, 2009. At the end of the same year, Embraer delivered the first Phenom 300 to Executive Flight Services at the company’s headquarters at São José dos Campos, Brazil. The aircraft is now certificated in more than 40 countries including in China.

Interiors of the Phenom 300 designed for by BMW Designworks, United States, was displayed for the first time at the National Business Aviation Association convention held in October 2005. Embraer’s commercial heritage has enabled the company’s engineers to manufacture among light jets, the most highly intuitive and professional cockpit with integrated avionics suite available, the Prodigy Flight Deck 300.

In February 2011, Embraer announced plans to manufacture the Phenom 300 in a Medevac configuration. The first aircraft in the Medevac edition was delivered to Amil Resgate Saúde in Brazil in February 2012. The Medevac version is equipped with the traditional patient loading utility system (PLUS) and is an aerial semi-intensive care unit for patients with 10-hour oxygen autonomy, 1,000 watts for vital equipment, a compressed air system and space for a ventilator, medical injection pump, defibrillator, IV poles as well as a neonatal incubator.

Performance

The Phenom 300 is designed to offer 15 per cent lower operating costs, top-class speed, climb and field performance as well as includes features only offered in larger jets. The Phenom 300 can carry up to nine occupants with a flying range of 1,971 nautical miles (3,650 km). With a new cabin option certified by ANAC in May 2012 that provides for two-place divan, offering additional seating configuration for the Phenom 300, the total capacity of the light jet has been enhanced to 11 occupants.

Powered by Pratt & Whitney Canada PW535E engines, it can easily be flown by a single pilot. It can operate from challenging airports at high elevations and hot temperatures, reaching typical cruising altitudes in less than 15 minutes. All this power is combined with excellent fuel consumption and a refined aerodynamic design. The Phenom 300 uses 14 per cent less fuel when compared to its nearest competitor and still delivers a superior high speed of 453 knots or 839 kmph. This efficiency is boosted by the very latest technology. The brake-by-wire system is lighter, has fewer components and provides better braking efficiency.

From the outset, the Phenom 300 has been carefully engineered to leverage technology previously unheard of in a light jet. It has unique features such as a standard single-point refuelling that allows fuel tanks to be filled in 12 minutes. Smart-Probe, a technology usually only available in much larger aircraft, means fewer maintenance procedures and more precise air data information. Designed for high utilisation, the Phenom 300 has an economic life of 28,000 flights and a scheduled maintenance plan of 600 hours or 12 months between inspections. So it spends more time where it’s supposed to—in the air.

The Phenom 300 meets ICAO Stage 4 regulations and is compliant with the world’s most noise-restrictive airports. It also produces up to 29 per cent less carbon dioxide (CO2) than previous generation aircraft and 14 per cent less than current competitors.

Laurels galore

During the last four years of its operations, the Phenom 300 has won a number of accolades. It received the Editor’s Choice Award as a true game changer from Flying Magazine in 2010. The following year i.e. in 2011, the aircraft earned the Robb Report’s Best of the Best award. It was also named as one of the top 15 jets of all time to have shaped the business aviation industry by Business Jet Traveller in 2012. It once again received the Best Light Business Aircraft Award by Robb Report’s Best of the Best 2012 report.

Customer Support

Since 1969, Embraer has been delivering excellent customer support through a specific programme developed for executive jets that is constantly being evaluated and customised to each client’s needs. Spares distribution centres are geographically well located to ensure quicker access to spares by customers. Integrated performance software tools facilitate efficient aircraft performance calculations for take-off, landing and other flight parameters. Maintenance tracking enables customers to access their aircraft maintenance plan online and update it by providing operational information. Embraer Executive Jets and its authorised training facilities provide quality training services for customers’ flight crews and maintenance technicians worldwide.