Page 6 - Volume 18 Number 11

Comparingthe Phenom 300 to the CJ3Strapped into the left seat of the Phenom 300, I bring the engines up to full power. The airplane quickly accelerates to V1 and Vr. I apply backpressure – the nose rises slowly, and the airplane follows. With positive rate, we are gear up, passing V2, and the takeoff flaps are retracted, using only one- third of the 8,000-ft runway. I back off the throttles for a shallower deck angle and avoid busting the 200-kt Class-D limit. Climb rate is 3,800 ft/4 • TWIN & TURBINEminute. Impressive performance indeed; a point emphasized by the Embraer sales team, including Captain Marcio, the demonstration pilot with two important jobs: (1) sell us an airplane, and (2) quickly teach methe basics of flying the 300.In considering upgrade candidates for our company’s CJ3, we decided to evaluate both the Phenom 300 and the Cessna CJ4. These two airplanes are comparable in performance, operating expense, and acquisition cost. Of primary concernwas whether either airplane could provide sufficient additional benefits beyond our CJ3 to justify the higher operating and acquisition costs.Although the CJ4 offered some great advantages for us, including a shared type rating with the CJ3, we focused on the Phenom because, in addition to better performance, it offered desirable “big airplane” amenities, such as airstairs, central refueling, and a real bathroom with external servicing, not available in either the CJ3 or CJ4.The Phenom’s fuselage is 14 inches longer than the CJ3’s. The interior is both wider and taller by two inches and boasts a comfortable 59-inch ceiling. The increase in space allowsNOVEMBER 2014Busin Upgradee