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São José dos Campos, March 29, 2007 - Embraer reports that the first Phenom 100 fuselage and wing have been completed at the Company’s Botucatu plant, in outstate São Paulo. The aircraft is now at the São José dos Campos facility for wing-fuselage mating and final assembly. The two PW617 Pratt & Whitney Canada engines, to be installed in April, have also been received by Embraer.
“We are thrilled to announce yet another key milestone in the Phenom 100 program,” said Luís Carlos Affonso, Embraer Executive Vice-President, Executive Jets. “The advanced technology applied to the Phenom 100 product design and manufacturing has enabled a smooth assembly of the fuselage and wings, and we have already begun the production of the second aircraft.”
The design and production planning of the Phenom jets are entirely digital. The manufacturing of all primary parts was simulated via a digital manufacturing and virtual numeric-control software. After simulation, the main structures of the first Phenom 100 were built with an automated riveting machine. With the advance of the final assembly of the first jet, the main fuselage sections and structures of the second Phenom 100 aircraft have begun the initial assembly process.
As part of the industrial plan for the Phenom programs, Embraer is upgrading two of its plants. The Botucatu facilities are being expanded by 95,800 square feet (8,900 square meters) and reconfigured to incorporate the sub-assembly lines of the Phenom 100 and the Phenom 300. A new facility is now under construction at the Gavião Peixoto plant. The 128,800-square-foot (11,970 square-meter) building will house administrative offices, engineering, receiving and the final assembly line for the Phenom 100 and the Phenom 300 jets. An additional building for custom painting will be constructed by the end of 2007. Final assembly of the fourth Phenom 100 and beyond will already occur at the Gavião Peixoto facility.
Announced in May 2005, the Phenom 100 and Phenom 300 programs are on schedule. The Phenom 100 maiden flight is planned for mid-2007 and entry into service by mid-2008. The Phenom 300 first flight is expected for mid-2008 and deliveries by mid-2009.
Embraer (Empresa Brasileira de Aeronáutica S.A. - NYSE: ERJ; Bovespa: EMBR3) is the world’s leading manufacturer of Commercial jets up to 120 seats with 37 years of experience in designing, developing, manufacturing, selling and providing after sales support to aircraft for the Commercial Aviation, Executive Aviation, and Defense and Government segments. With headquarters in São José dos Campos, State of São Paulo, the Company has offices and customer service bases in the United States, France, Portugal, China and Singapore. Embraer is among Brazil’s leading exporting companies. On December 31, 2006, Embraer had a total workforce of 19,265 people, and its firm order backlog totaled US$ 14.8 billion.
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