On the heels of its new business aviation forecast, Embraer said the first Phenom 100 customers have successfully passed the practical test with the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) on the new Embraer entry level executive jet.

James Frost took his flight at Alliance Airport, in Fort Worth, Texas. Frost, the first Phenom 100 customer authorized to fly the aircraft, is a real estate and mineral executive, who already holds an Air Transport Pilot certificate, with 2,500 hours logged in 35 years of experience. Frost's wife, Elizabeth, who has also successfully completed the program, is the first woman to be certified as a Phenom 100 pilot.

"The conclusion of the training program made me feel even more excited to fly my own Phenom 100 jet,” said Frost. “I was attracted to the jet by its high level of automation and clean-sheet design and, through the practical classes, I experienced the jet's comfortable cabin, friendly cockpit, and high-end systems."

"We congratulate the first Phenom 100 customer pilots," said Edson Carlos Mallaco, vice president, Customer Support and Services – Executive Jets. "The successful conclusion of the training program shows Embraer's commitment to offering premium and timely services, from innovative products to first-rate training and support."

The general pilot training program will have two new Full-Flight Simulators (FFS) built by CAE, located in the U.S., and another one in Burgess Hill, United Kingdom. Embraer CAE Training Services (ECTS) is a joint venture that was formed by Embraer and CAE, in 2007, to provide comprehensive pilot and ground crew training programs for Phenom customers.