Embraer and Garmin launch avionics upgrade for Phenoms

Embraer and Garmin have launched an avionics upgrade programme that will allow owners and operators of Phenom 100s and 300s to modernise their flightdecks to the latest G1000 NXi standard.

The Brazilian airframer says 340 Phenom 100s are eligible for the retrofit – covering the first- and second-generation versions of the entry-level business jet – as well as 150 Phenom 300s. They are fitted with G1000 and G3000 flightdecks, respectively.

The G3000, featuring a touchscreen cockpit, was introduced on the Phenom 300 light business jet in April 2013 and on the Phenom 100 in February 2017 as the cornerstone of a major upgrade programme to create the EV variant.

Flight testing on a G1000 NXi-equipped Phenom 100 is scheduled to begin in August, leading to US supplemental type certification in the first quarter of 2019. Brazilian and European approvals will follow soon after, says Garmin.

The upgrade is priced at $60,000 and will be available “with minimal aircraft down time” across Embraer’s service centre network, and at a selection of Garmin dealers.

Introduced in January 2017, the G1000 NXi features wireless cockpit connectivity, enhanced situational awareness, runway monitoring, visual approaches and map overlay on the horizontal situation indicator. NXi-equipped aircraft also meet US and European automatic dependent surveillance – broadcast (ADS-B) requirements.

The flightdeck is used on a host of in-production business aircraft including the Daher TBM 910, Piper M500 and Cessna Caravan 208 single-engined turboprops.

The NXi is also certificated for retrofit on the Beechcraft King Air 200, 300 and 350 models, along with the TBM 850 and 900. Availability on the Citation Mustang – the launch platform for the G1000 in 2003 – is scheduled for the second half of 2018, Garmin says.

(Evangle Luo of TTFLY shared with you)