Embraer now will assemble the Phenom 300 light jet in Melbourne, Fla., the company said this week, in addition to the Phenom 100, which has been produced at the Florida plant since last year. Both aircraft are on the same assembly line, the company said, with an ultimate capacity of eight aircraft per month. Twelve Phenom 300 jets are scheduled for production at the plant next year, with the first delivery in March. The production certificate recently granted by the FAA for the Phenom 100 will be expanded to include production of the 300, the company said.
The Melbourne assembly facility has hired and trained more staff for the expanded production line, bringing the total employment for both the assembly and customer centers to 233. Embraer is also developing an engineering and technology center at the Melbourne site. The center will be completed next year and will provide another 200 jobs over the next five years. The high-tech Florida plant has been delivering Phenom 100s in Melbourne since last December.
