Embraer Phenom 300
INTRODUCTION This is the Embraer Phenom 300;
it has become one of the most demanded options from the Brazilian aerospace manufacturer Embraer,
something that is not surprising at all, since this light jet aircraft represents a larger
and more powerful evolution of the well-known, popular, and reliable Phenom 100. But is it really
as good as it seems? We'll have to find out. Maintaining the design lines, aerodynamics,
comfort and efficiency to which Embraer has accustomed its customers, this executive
aircraft obtained its type certifications in December 2009, which led to the official
delivery that same month of the first Phenom 300, a unit acquired by the charter company Executive
Flight Services. EXTERIOR/DESIGN
The Embraer Phenom 300 is based on the Phenom 100 because customers wanted the same design in
a bigger airframe—something that could travel faster, farther, and be more comfortable. So
while they have many similarities, the main and most obvious difference is the size. This
aircraft measures 51 feet 4 inches in length, 52 feet 2 inches in wingspan, and 16 feet 9 inches
in height. For the construction of the Phenom 300, the designers took the basic cross-section
of the Phenom 100 fuselage and modified it by adding an extra 14 inches of length. They
also completely redesigned the wings to give this aircraft better aerodynamic performance.
The swept-wing is not just a design to make the plane sexy, it is actually designed this
way for a reason. Using swept wings increases the total length of the Phenom 300’s wings, the
reason swept wings are longer is because they are angled backward. And with longer wings, the plane
will fly smoother, climb better, and operate more efficiently than its straight-wing counterparts.
The T-shaped tail configuration isn’t only ideal because the engines are mounted on the rear of the
fuselage, but it certainly looks much cool, well atleast to my opinion. It has a structural life of
28,000 flight cycles, which translates into approximately 35,000 flight hours.
Phenom series boasts 10% more cabin room than the Citation CJ4. The flexible seating
configurations comfortably accommodate 6–10 passengers, with an optional refreshment
center and a full lavatory with a sink. In addition, the Phenom 300 has a cabin
altitude of 6,600 feet when the airplane is at 45,000 feet, which beats any aircraft in
its class. It measures 17 feet 2 inches long, 5 feet 1 inch wide, and 4 feet 11 inches high.
Speaking more about the seating configuration, it has 6 fixed seats for passengers, upholstered
in ultra-light leather, with headrest and back support, and 2 seats in the front for the crew,
but as it is designed to be flown by a single pilot, the remaining seat can be
used by a passenger. The rest of the seats can be adapted according to the needs of the customers,
being able to incorporate up to 3 more seats. It has a luggage compartment of 85 cubic feet,
located at the rear of the aircraft. The interior is designed by BMW Design Works USA and provides
both passengers and pilots a high degree of comfort for aircraft of this category.
If you stop for a moment to take a closer look, you will see that it has an innovative oval lite
style cabin that was designed to offer a wide and spacious environment, taking special care
of the space for the head and shoulders of the passengers, ensuring the highest degree of comfort
and satisfaction for the clients at all times. An extra point for those who want to show off and
indulge in luxury. Another advantage of the Phenom 300 is that it has 11 windows that ensure plenty
of natural light during daytime flights. ENGINE
The Embraer Phenom 300 mounts 2 powerful Pratt & Whitney Canada engines at the rear, specifically
the PW-535E, which provide 3,360 pounds of thrust each. These medium-thrust turbofan engines were
designed specifically for use in commercial aircraft. The twin engines are moderated by
Full Authority Digital Electric Control systems or FADEC, ensuring efficient power management.
The PW-535E model has a lightweight, compact and durable design, so it does not compromise
aircraft performance with its weight, instead, it boosts performance and fuel efficiency.
The PW-535E has proven to be highly reliable, accumulating more than 1.5 million engine hours,
demonstrating that it is capable of meeting and exceeding the expectations of the commercial
aviation market. It features a T-stage, which is mounted on the LP shaft behind the fan,
thus increasing the overall pressure ratio and core flow, with a top speed of 453 knots.
PERFORMANCE The Phenom 300
presents an impressive performance for aircraft of its category; with its two Pratt & Whitney
Canada PW535E turbofan engines, it is capable of achieving a range of up to 1,971 nautical miles in
an optimum configuration or up to 2,010 nautical miles with IFR reserves. It achieves a maximum
speed of up to 453 knots and can reach a flight ceiling of up to 45,000 feet. Its fuel consumption
is 123 gallons per hour at a speed of 364 knots or 162 gallons per hour at 431 knots. For takeoff,
it needs a runway distance of 3,209 feet, while for landing, it needs 2,212 feet.
AVIONICS
The Embraer Phenom 300 incorporate the Prodigy Touch Avionics, based on the
Garmin G3000 platform, which is capable of offering exciting flight experiences
and single-pilot operation capabilities. With the incorporation of this avionics, approved by
both the National Civil Aviation Agency (ANAC) and the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA),
Embraer was able to revolutionize the interface and interaction between pilot and aircraft.
The Prodigy Flight Deck Touch uses the most advanced technology in an
integrated and automated architecture. Designed under the "all black" concept,
it uses a touch screen that operates taking into account the human factors of automation so that
it can be used effectively by a single pilot. It has three 14.1-inch displays,
two of which are configured as main flight monitors, and the remaining one functions
as a multifunction monitor. All have the ability to work in split-screen mode to
display both functions and information useful to the pilot in the same window.
In split-screen mode, it is capable of providing the ability to display navigation charts,
flight maps, electronic documents, flight plan information, and synoptic systems, all alongside
essential aircraft data. The system also offers a pair of 5.7-inch touchscreen controllers, which
serve as the main entry point for the Prodigy Touch system, whose interface also incorporates
desktop icons for easy navigation and access to the system's various sections and sensors.
It is good to know that they not only think about the comfort of the passengers but also of the
pilots. Safety and systems awareness under stressful operations are aspects
that Embraer has really focused on taking care of, and it shows because they offer continuous
improvements in their aircraft, which reduce the pilots' workload and offer a more pleasant
flight experience. SYSTEMS
The aircraft's 4G connection system stands out, and together with its satellite communication
system, it allows passengers and crew to stay connected and in constant communication under
practically any circumstance. It also incorporates autopilot operation capabilities. The fuselage of
the aircraft has an anti-icing system that prevents the formation of ice on the wings
or tail of the aircraft, something important to keep in mind to maintain the integrity of the
aircraft and passengers. Likewise, the interior of the cabin has a climate control system,
thus ensuring a pleasant internal temperature at all times, regardless of external conditions. It
also has the Airborne Collision Avoidance System (ACAS II), which provides traffic alerts and
conflict resolution only in the vertical plane, to avoid possible collisions with other aircraft.
VARIANTS This aircraft
has been veeeeeery well received by consumers since its launch and this has allowed Embraer
to design 3 variants with some added improvements and specific features. YES, THREE. To start with,
I'll tell you about the Embraer Phenom 300E. It was launched to the market in 2018,
it represents an update of the original version, and has a redesign in the interior appearance to
give it a more current look. This version also incorporates the Prodigy Touch based
on Garmin-G3000. For its engines, it incorporates the Ground Power mode.
After how well this model did, the Embraer Phenom 300E 2020 got our eyes,
this upgraded model was announced in January 2020, achieving triple certification from ANAC,
EASA, and FAA in March of that year, thus allowing its first delivery in June 2020. In
terms of performance, this upgraded version is even faster than its predecessor, becoming the
fastest single-pilot jet in production by being able to reach Mach airspeed of 0.80,
with a top cruising speed of 464 knots, and a five-occupant range of 2,010 nautical miles
with NBAA IFR reserves. This version incorporated additional important technological improvements,
such as an avionics upgrade, with a Runway Overrun Awareness and Alerting System (ROAAS).
This is also the first technology of its kind developed and certified in business aviation.
This model also has 4G connectivity through Gogo AVANCE L5, incorporates an emergency descent mode,
PERF, TOLD, and FAA Datacom, as well as predictive wind shear. The Bossa Nova
interior design option was available with this version. This aircraft has it all.
And finally we have the Embraer Phenom 300E MED. This version was introduced in August
2020 and represents a modified version for use by health services. This upgrade was equipped
with a medical evacuation configuration ready for quick use, as well as the incorporation of other
attachments focused on the health area. This also demonstrates Embraer's versatility when
it comes to designing its aircraft and adapting them to the needs of its customers. Who wouldn't
want one? MARKET
The price of the aircraft depends on the year of production, since, as we have been able to
appreciate, the updates presented by the variants of the base model increase its cost. However,
in 2009, the Phenom 300 was launched with a price tag of 9.25 million dollars. Today, used models
of the first production series can be found with prices ranging from approximately 5 to 6 million
dollars. The cost per hour of a charter flight in this aircraft is close to 3,500 dollars per hour,
and the annual maintenance of this aircraft, grouping fixed and variable costs with an
estimated 200 hours of flight per year, is close to $700,000, of which $140,000 would be for fuel.
Now, the Phenom 300 is a very capable aircraft, but are there aircraft in its class that can
directly compete with it? The answer is yes, and two of its direct contenders are the Pilatus PC-24
and the Cessna Citation CJ4. To begin with, we have to take into account the years of release
and the prices of each aircraft. On the one hand, we have the Phenom 300, which was launched at the
end of 2009 at a cost of 9.25 million dollars per unit. Then came the Cessna Citation CJ4,
which is the most expensive aircraft of the 3, with a starting price of 9.41 million dollars
and operating since 2011. And finally, we have the Pilatus PC-24, which is the youngest one
among the 3, as it entered service in 2018, with a starting price of 8.9 million dollars.
Cabin space is an extremely important aspect for many people, and it is perhaps where one of the
three aircraft emerges as a clear winner. The Pilatus PC24 has 501 cubic feet of cabin space
and a 90 cubic foot capacity for baggage storage, while the Phenom 300 has 324 cubic feet of cabin
space and an 85 cubic foot baggage compartment. On the other hand, the Cessna CJ4 has 311 cubic feet
of cabin space and 76 cubic feet of available baggage space. As you can see, the Pilatus is
not the most economical of the 3, but it is also the most spacious, so that is an important plus.
And… if we talk about the range of each of these birds, the Cessna CJ4 can reach
a range of 1,991 nautical miles and a top speed of 451 knots and requires 3,310 feet to take off.
The Phenom 300 can reach 453 knots and has a range of 1,971 nautical miles,
requiring 3,209 feet of runway to take off. And finally, the Pilatus PC24 is capable of a range of
1,950 nautical miles and a speed of 425 knots, and requires only 2,690 feet of runway to take off.
In general terms, the three aircraft are very evenly matched and have very similar
characteristics, so in the end it will be more a matter of taste than anything else,
although undoubtedly, in terms of cabin space, the Pilatus PC24 is emerging as the most outstanding
and comfortable. In some ways, the PC24 doesn’t directly compete with the Phenom 300 because
it is more of a multi-purpose powerhouse, designed to take you from gravel to grass
or even more rudimentary runways, it is built for versatility. According to the designers,
the PC-24 doesn’t fit into the regular light business jet category, but rather into its own
new category: the SVJ, or "Super Versatile Jet." Pilatus gave it this name because it combines the
versatility of a turboprop, the cabin size of a medium jet, and the performance of a light jet.
PROS
Since its launch, Embraer's Phenom 300 series has been introducing continuous
advances and improvements to its aircraft, many of which have been based on customer feedback,
demonstrating how important the voice of its consumers is to the company. With the Phenom
300 variants, they have shown the versatility of the aircraft, not only by renewing it with
faster and longer-range versions, but also by adapting the aircraft's capabilities to develop
a model for medical assistance purposes. Thanks to this, since December 2009, the Phenom 300 series
has had the highest annual delivery rate with an average of more than 50 units delivered. To date,
more than 640 Phenom 300 series aircraft have been delivered. This not only enhances the company's
reputation, but also highlights its interest in the continuous innovation of its aircraft
and in improving the flight experience, cabin pressurization and overall capabilities without
sacrificing performance or comfort. CONS
The Embraer Phenom 300 is a well-rounded product, as evidenced by its solid sales and
the fact that it has led sales in the light business jet market for more than a decade,
which is an impressive feat. So talking about negative aspects is not an easy task AT ALL...
Perhaps one of the aspects that could be considered as negative would be the size
inside the cabin, which can be too small at times for very tall passengers. To date, there has been
only one fatal accident involving a Phenom 300, which occurred in 2015 in the United Kingdom,
the cause was due to human error made by the pilot. This speaks highly of the safety system
and reliability of the aircraft. CONCLUSION
It is now clear why this aircraft is ranked as one of the most outstanding business jets of all time,
its performance, innovation, and overall performance are not something you see every
day in the sky, huh? This is why Embraer's Phenom 300 series has become, according to data published
by the General Aviation Manufacturers Association (GAMA), the world's best-selling light aircraft
for 10 YEARS IN A ROW! And that's not all, it is the most delivered twinjet of 2021 with 56 units,
enviable milestones for any manufacturer. To summarize, all this undoubtedly makes the Phenom
300 a product of high excellence and a clear market leader in its class. In its almost 14 years
of operations, this family of aircraft has managed to enter into operation in 39 countries around the
world and has accumulated more than 1.5 million flight hours. So far, we have seen many aircraft
with impressive capabilities, each one better than the last, but will this be the best of all time?
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