Frequently asked questions
Phenom 300E: what kind of aircraft is it and what to consider when buying?
The Phenom 300 has been the world's most delivered light jet for twelve years running (700+ aircraft). The 300E version: eight to ten seats, a range of 3,723 km and an 859 km/h cruise — the fastest production light jet. PW535E1 engines, a BMW Designworks Oval Lite cabin and G3000 avionics with auto-throttle. In production since 2009 and continually updated. There is no flight attendant or hot meal service — the cabin is compact. There is no in-flight baggage access — bags are loaded on the ground. On typical legs it covers routes such as London–Amsterdam · London–Malta. Send us a request — we'll prepare options, calculate running costs and analyse the best fit for your task.
How much does the Phenom 300E cost: purchase and running costs?
Guide figures for the Phenom 300E: average pre-owned price — $11.8M; new — $12.5M. Running costs at 300–400 h/year — about $1.60M/year, or $3,998 per flight hour. The final figure depends on year, hours flown, engine-programme status and configuration. Send us a request — we'll prepare options, calculate running costs and analyse the best fit for your task.
What is Embraer known for and which business jets does it build?
Brazil's Embraer is the world's third-largest maker of civil aircraft after Airbus and Boeing. Its business line: the very light Phenom 100EX, the light Phenom 300E — the world's best-selling light jet for 12 years running — and the super-midsize Praetor 500/600 with up to 7,440 km of range. Signature style: BMW-studio cabins and full fly-by-wire on the Praetor. Send us a request — we'll prepare options, calculate running costs and analyse the best fit for your task.
How reliable are the Phenom and Praetor and what about service?
The Phenom 300 fleet has passed 700 aircraft with dispatch reliability above 99.8% — the PW535E engines run 5,000 hours to overhaul. The Praetor inherited the airframe of the proven Legacy 450/500 line. Embraer's service network in Europe and the Middle East (Paris, Lisbon, Dubai) fully covers regional operators' needs, and heavy checks do not require a flight to the Americas. Send us a request — we'll prepare options, calculate running costs and analyse the best fit for your task.
How well does Embraer hold value on the pre-owned market?
The Phenom 300 is a liquidity benchmark: a five-year-old 300E sells for $9–10.5M against a new $12.5M, and 30–60-day exposure is among the shortest on the market. The Praetor 600, short of new slots, sells at minimal discount. Early Phenom 100 ($2.3–3M) is a popular first jet, with steady demand even in weak quarters. Send us a request — we'll prepare options, calculate running costs and analyse the best fit for your task.
How does the Praetor 600 differ from the Challenger 3500?
Two super-midsize leaders. The Praetor 600 is longer-legged — 7,441 km versus 6,297 km for the Challenger — and has full fly-by-wire with active turbulence damping. The Challenger 3500 answers with the widest cabin in class (2.19 m versus 2.08 m) and a far larger fleet of 300/350 predecessors, meaning a developed service infrastructure. List prices are close: $21–27M. Send us a request — we'll prepare options, calculate running costs and analyse the best fit for your task.
What routes and tasks suit light jets?
The light jet is the most in-demand class of business aviation for 2–4-hour legs: Geneva–Dubai, London–Athens, Vienna–London. A range of 3,700–4,000 km covers 80% of real business routes across Europe, the Middle East and the CIS. The class keeps access to short strips from 1,200 m and a reasonable hourly price — the sweet spot between VLJ and midsize. Send us a request — we'll prepare options, calculate running costs and analyse the best fit for your task.
How many passengers and how much baggage does a light jet take?
The typical layout is 6–8 seats, the maximum up to 10 (Phenom 300E). A comfortable long-leg load is 4–6 people. Holds take 0.9–1.9 m³: 6–8 suitcases plus hand luggage, and the CJ4 and Phenom 300 fit skis and golf bags. A full cabin and full tanks are not available at once — with eight passengers, range falls by about a quarter. Send us a request — we'll prepare options, calculate running costs and analyse the best fit for your task.
How does a light jet differ from neighbouring classes?
From a VLJ it is set apart by an extra 1,000–1,500 km of range, a full lavatory and a hold twice as large; from a midsize by price: an hour is $1,500–2,500 cheaper, but the cabin is lower (no standing) and there is no separate crew area. The choice: 2–4 hours for four — light; 5+ hours, 8+ people or a stand-up cabin needed — midsize. Send us a request — we'll prepare options, calculate running costs and analyse the best fit for your task.
Which light jets are in the fleet and how do they differ?
Ten models to choose from: the best-selling Embraer Phenom 300E (up to 10 seats, 3,720 km), the Cessna CJ2+/CJ3/CJ4 family with best-in-class economics, the fast Learjet 40XR/45XR/70/75 cruising up to 860 km/h, the remanufactured Nextant 400XTi — jet speed at a turboprop price — and the Beechcraft Premier IA with a composite fuselage and the widest cabin in class. Send us a request — we'll prepare options, calculate running costs and analyse the best fit for your task.
How do you choose an aircraft to buy for your needs?
Start from two numbers: the length of your typical route and the number of passengers. Up to 1,000 km and 4 people — a turboprop or light jet; 2,000–4,000 km — a midsize jet; nonstop intercontinental — a long-range jet. Then adjust for short runways, baggage volume and sleeping berths. We'll match a model to your profile and calculate the ownership economics. Send us a request — we'll prepare options, calculate running costs and analyse the best fit for your task.
New aircraft or pre-owned — which is the better buy?
A new aircraft means a factory warranty and a 1–3-year queue, but the price is at its peak. A pre-owned aircraft means immediate delivery and a price 30–60% lower, while engine time and history matter. For most buyers a fresh 3–7-year-old aircraft is optimal: the main depreciation has happened and plenty of life remains. We cost both options. Send us a request — we'll prepare options, calculate running costs and analyse the best fit for your task.
