Phenom's first flight

Embraer's Phenomenal First Flight

Officials from Embraer's executive jet division were all smiles at AirVenture when they received word that the Phenom 100 very light jet made a one hour 36 minute first flight in Brazil. Aircraft S/N 99801 became airborne on Thursday at 10:55 a.m. local time, piloted by Embraer test pilot Antonio Bragança Silva and Eduardo Alves Menini. "This is a key milestone for Embraer," Embraer President and CEO Frederico Fleury Curado said. "When we unveiled the Phenom jets a little more than two years ago, we asserted to the business aviation community our commitment to be a long term player in the executive aviation market. The first flight of the Phenom 100 confirms this commitment." The flight crew, accompanied by flight test engineer Marcelo Toledo Basile, checked out the aircraft’s flight characteristics and systems operations. According to Embraer executive jets vice president Luis Carlos Affonso, during the flight the Phenom 100 reached 15,000 feet and the gear remained extended, which is not at all uncommon on a maiden jaunt.