Phenom 300EV becomes first light jet certified with Garmin Emergency Autoland

Embraer's Phenom 300EV has received certification from the FAA, the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) and Brazil's Agência Nacional de Aviação Civil (ANAC). The approvals make the aircraft the first light jet certified with Garmin Emergency Autoland.

The system can activate automatically if it detects that the pilot is unable to fly or can be activated manually by a passenger. Garmin Emergency Autoland can select an airport and runway, communicate the aircraft's intentions to air traffic control and complete the approach, landing and stop without pilot input. For operators and owners of light jets, the certification carries no direct cost change; the system is standard on the 300EV. For those considering the type against competing light jets without autoland, the feature offers a safety advantage with no reported premium over current pricing.

Performance and features

The Phenom 300EV has a range of 2,055 nautical miles using NBAA IFR reserves and a maximum speed of Mach 0.80. An increase in maximum zero fuel weight provides approximately 430 pounds of additional payload capacity compared with the previous version. The prior-generation Phenom 300E had a range of 2,010 nautical miles.

The aircraft uses Embraer's Garmin G3000-based Prodigy Touch flight deck and is equipped with autobrake and rudder-by-wire controls, supported by a Multi-Purpose Electronic Controller. Other systems include autothrottle, Emergency Descent Mode and Embraer's Runway Overrun Awareness and Alerting System. The aircraft is also equipped with Garmin's 3D taxiway routing and runway occupancy awareness tool and a synthetic vision guidance system.

Cabin changes include low-Earth-orbit satellite connectivity, revised temperature controls, an air ionisation system and a vacuum lavatory. The aircraft retains a maximum cabin altitude of 6,600 feet.

Market position and availability

The Phenom 300EV is the largest business jet equipped with Garmin's Autoland system to date. Garmin Emergency Autoland is available on smaller aircraft including the HondaJet Elite II, Cirrus Vision Jet, Daher TBM 980 and Beechcraft Denali. Embraer Executive Jets chief executive Michael Amalfitano has said the company is considering extending Autoland to the smaller Phenom 100.

Embraer introduced the Phenom 300EV in July as the latest version of the Phenom 300 series. The Phenom 300 series has been the best-selling light jet for 14 consecutive years, according to the manufacturer. Deliveries of the 300EV are expected to begin in 2028.

For existing Phenom 300E owners, the reporting does not say whether retrofit options for Autoland will be available. Neither operator nor regulator has disclosed any change to acquisition pricing for new buyers, nor whether the system's availability will command a premium over competing light jets currently in service. The AeroTime report notes that the aircraft is capable of carrying four passengers, though the sources do not provide a full cabin configuration or seat count specification.