Maiden flight for first US built Phenom 100

The first Embraer Phenom 100
business jet built at Embraer Melbourne, Florida assembly facility made its first flight at Melbourne International Airport.

According to production test pilot Joao Rafael Silva, the two and a half hour
post production evaluation flight went exactly as planned. The aircraft
successfully flew designated items from the standard test card used to evaluate
systems and performance of each Phenom 100 aircraft prior to delivery.

“We are very proud of the production flight test results,” said Phil Krull,
managing director, Embraer Executive Aircraft, “This flight clearly shows that
our Melbourne team is ready to carry on seamless production of the Embraer
Phenom 100 with the same level of excellence as our colleagues in Brazil.”

Photograph: First US built Phenom 100 being saluted by the airport fire department

“This is an extraordinary milestone for our Company” said Robert Knebel, vice
president, sales for North America, Embraer Executive Jets. “To have one of our
most successful aircraft built in Melbourne and
flying across American skies embodies Embraer’s determination to build a strong
footprint in the US.”

“This is a historic week for the Company,” said Ernest Edwards, president,
Embraer Executive Jets, “The opening of Embraer’s global Customer Center on
Monday, followed by today’s first flight of the first Phenom 100 built in the
US, gives our customers, suppliers and friends a sense of our commitment to our
promises and feelings of immense pride to all our employees.”

This first US-made Phenom 100, built for Kansas City-based Phenom 100 and
Phenom 300 fractional provider Executive AirShare, is slated to be delivered
before the end of the month.