Embraer is aiming for the top of the business aviation world, says Luis Carlos Affonso, executive vice president Embraer Executive Jets. “We are progressing with the fulfilment of our vision to become a big player in this industry,” he says.
“This year we’ve had the new Legacys, and the Phenom programmes are going well. We’ll certify and deliver two aircraft this year – the Phenom 100 and the Lineage 1000.” The Lineage 1000 is here at Farnborough as a mock-up, along with a Legacy 600 in the static park and a mock-up of the Phenom 300.
“We’re developing five aircraft simultaneously,” says Affonso. “Our focus is on the execution of developing them to their specifications and delivering them on time at the right cost, as well as completing our customer support infrastructure so that as they arrive to market they can be looked after,” he says. “Not to mention our customer support development - we are progressing fast and steadily to the fulfilment of these goals.”
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Affonso believes the market in Europe for business jets is “still hot”, and the Middle East and Europe are compensating for the slowdown in other regions of the world. “We have no signs of market contraction in this region, which is positive. We are very attentive of the effects of the slow down in North America, but have not seen any slowdown in Europe and the Middle East,” he says.
Affonso is optimistic that the Phenom 100 is on track for certification and delivery this year. “We have solved all developmental challenges, in terms of changes to the design. We don’t expect any design changes now and will give the green light for production at the end of the month,” he says.
The Phenom 100 will also become certified for flight into known icing in its present configuration. Affonso says: “We evolved the design after completing the design, and this is good news. If you only do this test post certification, and are then obliged to introduce changes, it can mean a big retrofit.”
With the Phenom 100 slated for certification and delivery by the end of the year, Affonso believes it to be an excellent entry-level aircraft. “It is very affordable for what it delivers. Small companies and indivdual owners will be able to fly in a jet, in a nice cabin for an unprecedented price and DOCs. This is something unique. Before the Phenom you couldn’t find that cabin, baggage compartment and jet at that price point,” he says. “We believe the Phenom will create a significant change in the landscape.
Source: Flight International
