Brazil on the Rise
Reporting from Sao Jose dos Campos, Brazil, Embraer Factory
I am visiting Embraer in Brazil for the acceptance and delivery of a Phenom 100, Embraer Executive Jet.
Serial Number 146 is poised on the floor of Hangar 300 ready for delivery to an owner in the United Kingdom. This EMB-500 will be managed by London Executive Aviation and will initially be based at Stansted Airport about 25 miles northeast of London City.
Although JetQuik accepts and delivers aircraft for customers around the world, the acceptance of this Phenom was accomplished by Dan Pope, an engineer from LEA.
Joining me in the delivery process is Neil Onions, a thirty-year aviation veteran and Head of Training for LEA. Neil cut his teeth as an air traffic control engineer initially working in the Shetland Islands, and subsequently all over the UK. He now lives in the Essex countryside among the ancient oaks, but near enough to The Butcher’s Arms to enjoy an occasional pint of bitters.
Patrick Margetson-Rushmore and George Galanopoulos, principals of LEA operate over 20 aircraft in charter and the Phenom 100 will be the 8th type joining their fleet. As President of JetQuik I have had the pleasure of joining Patrick for several meetings both in England and Spain, where we have advocated for Executive Jet travel and for improvements in the world-wide air charter community. Although this is the first Phenom 100 to join the LEA fleet, I am confident that more will be forthcoming.
Also growing their fleet is Corporate Flight Management in Smyrna and Nashville, Tennessee, now managing two Embraer Phenom 100s with plans to continually expand the fleet of Embraer Executive Jets. Allen Howell, Chairman of CFM notes that they are “marvelously efficient aircraft that fulfill the need for light jets in our (CFM’s) fleet”. Allen Howell also noted that, “Corporate Flight Management has completed factory approved training for Phenom mechanics who help to ensure the high dispatch reliability of the Phenom 100.”
Here in Sao Jose dos Campos, Brazil, the hangar 300 delivery facility is buzzing with activity. As I look out into the hangar from my delivery office, I see EMB 190s destined for Tianjin Airlines, TACA and jetBlue. Out on Runway 15, an Air France by Regional EMB 170 just departed for Paris.
The airliners in Hangar 300 are joined by six Phenom 100s and two Phenom 300s slated for delivery this week. Much of the credit for the popularity of the Embraer Executive Jet family is due to the airline heritage that they share. Built to airliner standards, the Phenom jets are rugged and dependable, fun to fly, and great to look at. The latest Phenom 300 here in the hangar is a stellar example of clean sheet design and a perfect mix of beauty and practicality.
Tomorrow we begin our trip to London. I hope that you will follow our progress as we “adventure our way” up through the Americas and over to Europe.
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