Aircraft
Embraer sells 20 Phenoms
The VLJ juggernaut showed no sign of slowing as Embraer landed another firm order for its line of very light jets, this time from Clearwater, Fla.-based Av

The VLJ juggernaut showed no sign of slowing as Embraer landed another firm order for its line of very light jets, this time from Clearwater, Fla.-based Avantair for 20 Phenom 100s. Avantair CEO Steven Santo said he plans to accept delivery of the first airplane in June 2009, and take the balance of the order over the span of about two years. Embraer expects the Phenom 100 to earn FAA certification in mid-2008.   

Appearing for the announcement at Embraer’s display stand along with Embraer CEO Mauricio Botelho and vice president of executive jets Luis Carlos Affonso, Santo said he plans to place airplanes in the Northeast, first at New Jersey’s Caldwell Airport and later at such airports as Bedford, Mass., outside Boston. Plans call for Avantair to begin flying Piaggio Avantis for its fractional ownership clients from Caldwell by the end of this year.