In 2000, Embraer launched the Legacy 600, its first product in the area of executive aviation. With the experience gained in this segment, Embraer announced in 2005, during the annual convention of the NBAA (National Business Aviation Association) in the United States, the development of two new jets, then called Very Light and Light and later baptized as the Phenom 100 and Phenom 300. At the time, mock-ups of the new jets were presented.

In 2006, the engine of the Phenom 100 had its first test. On April 19 of that year, the JDP (Joint Definition Phase) began, involving teams from Embraer and suppliers of components. Its interior, designed in collaboration with BMW Group DesignworksUSA, brought solutions of unparalleled style and ergonomics, offering pilots and passengers unequalled comfort in their categories. With high speed and excellent performance on short runways, the Phenom 100 was built to withstand up to 1,500 hours of average annual use, five times more than the average in the industry, which means less need for maintenance and more reliability and availability.

Considering these favorable characteristics, in May 2008, the Phenom 100, together with the Phenom 300 and Lineage 1000 airplanes, won the IDEA/Brazil design award, the national version of the IDEA/USA award— one of the most prestigious design accolades in the world. The deliberation was based on questions of sustainability and design excellence, including aesthetics and harmony of form, as well as innovation and benefits to users, customers, society and the environment.

The Phenom 100 rollout was carried out on June 16, 2007, and the maiden flight was made on July 26, 2007. The first customers, the North Americans James and Elizabeth Frost, received the aircraft in December 2008.

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Embraer Executive Jets - Phenom 100

Product Name	Phenom 100
Family	Phenom
Market niche	Executive Aviation
Start of the Project	May 2005
Maiden flight	July 26, 2007
Rollout	June 16, 2007
Certifications	ANAC – December 9, 2008 FAA – December 12, 2008 EASA – April 24, 2009
1st delivery	December 2008 – James and Elizabeth Frost, United States