In recent years, more and more business jets are on display at EAA AirVenture Oshkosh and the air show´s 2008 edition is no exception. Brazil-based Embraer, itself no stranger to Oshkosh, is at the show helping to advertise its coming pair of light and very light jets, the Phenom 300 and Phenom 100. While at Oshkosh, Embraer updated attendees on its Phenom 100 certification and flight testing, announcing the 1,000-hour milestone had been reached by its flight-test fleet. Phenom 100 certification is expected later this year, followed quickly by customer deliveries.

Currently, Embraer has four test aircraft participating in the certification process; the first production Phenom 100s are already in the sub-assembly production phase. Earlier, crosswind tests were held in Punta Arenas, Chile, and operational tests at high altitude airports were recently concluded in Cochabamba, Bolivia. Systems and performance tests are ongoing, and one test aircraft is currently in southern Argentina undergoing cold weather tests.

"As the Phenom test campaigns advance, we are excited to see the growing market acceptance of these jets. By the end of June, close to 800 Phenom 100 and Phenom 300 firm orders had been placed," said Luis Carlos Affonso, Embraer Executive Vice President, Executive Jets. "To our further satisfaction, the Phenom jets have been awarded by renowned institutions worldwide, for both the aircraft project and their interior design."