The Embraer EMB-505 Phenom 300 is a light business jet designed and produced by the Brazilian aerospace manufacturer Embraer. Certified for single-pilot operations, it can carry up to 11 occupants.
Work on the Phenom 300 started in response to customer demands for a larger private jet than the Phenom 100; while the design team originally intended for the aircraft to be a straightforward stretched derivative of the Phenom 100, a clean sheet approach was later adopted. The Phenom 300 featured more powerful engines, the addition of spoiler and winglets, along with an elongated cabin to accommodate more passengers. Several features, from its cabin and interior design to its landing gear and structure, can be traced back to the Phenom 100.
The prototype Phenom 300 conducted its maiden flight on 29 April 2008, type certification was received on 3 December 2009, permitting its entry into service that same month. In 2013, the Phenom 300 was the most delivered business jet. During March 2019, Embraer delivered the 500th Phenom 300, claiming more than half of the light jet market share since 2012. On 31 January 2020, Embraer announced that it was implementing a package of upgrades to the Phenom 300. Certification of the improved Phenom 300E was received during March 2020.
Development
During the early 2000s, Embraer was in the process of designing the Phenom 100 light business jet; while conducting market research, it was discovered that numerous potential customers were expressing a desire for a enlarged model of the aircraft. Accordingly, in 2004, it was decided to produce a derivative of the Phenom 100, which the company designated as the Phenom 300. Initial design work was focused on a straightforward scaling up of the Phenom 100, however, Embraer later concluded that a "clean sheet" approach was necessary, leading to the adoption of more powerful engines, spoiler-equipped swept wings, and detachable aluminium winglets. Various features from the Phenom 100 were transferred across, such as its relatively long structural life, an all-composite T-tail, trailing-link landing gear, fly-by-wire brakes, the Prodigy avionics suite, a cabin and cockpit interior designed by BMW DesignWorksUSA.
On 29 April 2008, the prototype Phenom 300 conducted its maiden flight, flown by John Sevalho Corção and Embraer's chief pilot Eduardo Alves Meni; this flight took place several months ahead of the original development schedule. On its second flight, made on 6 May, the prototype was flown from Gavião Peixoto to Embraer’s headquarters at São José dos Campos for further evaluation. A total of three Phenom 300s flew roughly 1,400 hours in support of the certification programme. On 3 December 2009, the Phenom 300 received its type certification from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). On 29 December 2009, Embraer delivered the first Phenom 300 to Executive Flight Services at the company's headquarters at São José dos Campos, Brazil.
On 31 January 2020, Embraer announced that it was implementing a package of upgrades to the Phenom 300; resulting changes included the maximum speed being increased from Mach 0.78 to 0.80 (), expanded endurance from , and the rated engine thrust being raised from via the adoption of improved PW535E1 turbofan engines. During March 2020, the Phenom 300E received triple certification from Brazil’s ANAC, the FAA, and EASA. By early 2023, the aircraft's equipped price was .
Design
The Phenom 300 is a twin-engined cantilever monoplane with low-positioned swept wings. It is powered by a pair of Pratt & Whitney Canada PW535E turbofan engines that are mounted at the rear of the fuselage on pylons. The structure, which comprises 18% composite materials, has a rate lifespan of 28,000 flight cycles or 35,000 flight hours; it is considerably stronger than that of the Phenom 100 in part due to the aircraft's higher operating altitude. It was decided not to equip the Phenom 300 with thrust reversers, instead relying on the use of fly-by-wire brakes with anti-skid protection incorporated. It also has retractable tricycle landing gear. Despite the aircraft's increased size, the Phenom 300 is capable of flying out of various smaller commuter airports, such as London City and Telluride Regional Airport.