The Embraer Phenom 300 is a light jet produced by Brazilian aircraft manufacturer Embraer. It has been built since 2009. The aircraft was upgraded to the Phenom 300E and is still in production today. Its range is 2,010 nm or 3,723 kilometers. Let’s see how it compares to different aircraft in the same class: the Cessna Citation CJ4, the Pilatus PC-24, and the HondaJet Elite II.
The competitors in the same light jet class and their range are focused here:
- Cessna Citation CJ4: 2,165 nautical miles or 4,010 kilometers.
- City pairs include Houston to New York, London to Athens, and New York to Miami.
- Pilatus PC-24: 2,000 nautical miles or 3,704 kilometers.
- City pairs include Houston to Chicago, Miami to New York, and London to Marrakech.
- HondaJet Elite II: 1,437 nautical miles or 2,661 kilometers.
- City pairs include Denver to Toluca, Panama City to Miami, and Shanghai to Tokyo.
Comparisons of aircraft
The Embraer Phenom 300 is just pipped to the post in range by the Cessna Citation CJ4 by 155 nautical miles or approximately 387 kilometers. The Pilatus PC-24 is close behind the Phenom 300 with just 10 nautical miles difference and approximately 19 kilometers. The HondaJet Elite II lags behind the other aircraft by just over 500 nautical miles but is in the same class, so comparable.
In terms of aircraft in the light jet class and range, the top three have very little difference in what they offer. The average mission for these aircraft is mostly shorter than the maximum range and will most likely fly for between one and a half to three hours, although they can fly for an average of four to four and a half hours.
Wind, payload, temperature, bad weather, and flights over water can also reduce range, so the maximum range should never be guaranteed. Due to its ability to land on ice and sand, the Pilatus PC-24 is likelier to do short missions.
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Upgrade from 300 to 300E
The Phenom 300 was upgraded in 2018 to become the Phenom 300E. The interior was redesigned, and new avionics, the Garmin G3000 Prodigy Touch with ground power mode for the engines, were fitted. In 2020, the Phenom 300E was upgraded again with new Pratt and Whitney Canada PW535E1 engines, which increased the thrust to 3478 pounds. It has a speed of 0.80 Mach or 464 knots, and the range was also increased.
It has enhanced avionics, including predictive wind shear awareness, stabilized approach, and the Runway Overrun Awareness Alerting System. According to Embraer, the Phenom 300E range is 2,010 nautical miles or 3,723 kilometers with five occupants at NBAA IFR reserves and a long-range cruise setting. The aircraft seats between seven and nine passengers and costs $9.23 million.
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Aircraft specification of the Embraer Phenom 300
(Data from Embraer)
General characteristics
- Crew: 1 or 2 pilots
- Capacity: 6–8 passengers (standard configurations); 10 passengers maximum (with a passenger in the cockpit, optional side-facing divan, and optional belted lavatory)
- Length: 15.64 m (51 ft 4 in)
- Wingspan: 15.91 m (52 ft 2 in)
- Height: 5.1 m (16 ft 9 in)
- Max takeoff weight: 8,414.59 kg (18,551 lb)
- Fuel capacity: 2,428 kg (5,353 lb)
- Cabin pressurization: 9.4 psi (0.65 bar; 65 kPa)
- Cabin altitude: 2,012 m (6,600 ft) at 13,716 m (45,000 ft)
- Cabin height: 1.5 m (4.9 ft)
- Cabin width: 1.6 m (5.1 ft)
- Cabin length: 5.23 m (17.2 ft)
- Powerplant: 2 × Pratt & Whitney Canada PW535E1 turbofans, 15.471 kN (3,478 lbf) thrust each
Performance
- Maximum speed: 980 km/h (610 mph, 530 kn) at FL330
- Cruise speed: 859 km/h (534 mph, 464 kn)
- Range: 3,723 km (2,313 mi, 2,010 nmi) with IFR reserves, 5 occupants
- Service ceiling: 13,716 m (45,000 ft)
- Time to altitude: FL 450 in 24 minutes
- Wing loading: 286 kg/m2 (59 lb/sq ft)
- Fuel burn: 346 kg/h (760 lb/h) at 364 kn (674 km/h; 419 mph), 456 kg/h (1,010 lb/h) at 431 kn (798 km/h; 496 mph) and FL410
- Take-off distance: 978 m (3,209 ft) MTOW, SL, ISA
- Landing distance: 674 m (2,212 ft) 4 occupants at 200 lb each, NBAA IFR reserves, SL, ISA
Avionics
- Embraer Prodigy Touch (based on Garmin G3000 system)
More comparisons
The Phenom 300E has better fuel efficiency and lower operating costs than the Citation CJ4 and is just slightly faster, although the CJ4 is faster than the original Phenom 300. The Pilatus PC-24 has a larger cabin than the other aircraft but would have to carry one less passenger to have the same range as the Phenom 300.
However, its ability to land and take off on short and unpaved runways makes it stand out. The Citation CJ4 has probably the most luxurious cabin but also has advanced avionics. The HondaJet Elite II is modern, sleek, and has lower operating costs than most. Choosing between them is all down to requirements and personal preferences.
Aircraft speed:
- Embraer Phenom 300E: 464 knots or 859 kilometers per hour
- Cessna Citation CJ4: 451 knots or 835 kilometers per hour
- Pilatus PC-24: 425 knots or 787 kilometers per hour
- HondaJet Elite II: 422 knots or 782 kilometers per hour
For a price comparison, the average cost of the Phenom 300E is $9.23 million, whereas the Citation CJ4 is a little more expensive at $9.41 million. The Pilatus PC-24 is a cool $8.9 million, and the HondaJet Elite II is a cool $7 million.