Embraer has secured triple certification from Brazilian, United States, and European regulators for its Phenom 300EV, clearing the way for the aircraft to become the first twin-engine light jet equipped with Garmin Emergency Autoland. The August 25, 2026, announcement from the manufacturer’s Melbourne, Florida, facility marks the final regulatory hurdle before global deliveries begin.

In a press release issued Tuesday, Embraer confirmed that the Agência Nacional de Aviação Civil (ANAC), the FAA, and EASA have all certified the updated aircraft. The Phenom 300EV builds upon the Phenom 300 series, which has held the title of the world’s best-selling light jet for 14 consecutive years.

Integrating autonomous safety technology

The certification introduces Garmin Emergency Autoland to the twin-engine light jet segment. Previously, this autonomous safety system was restricted to single-engine turboprops and the Cirrus Vision Jet, according to reporting by Flying Magazine. The system is designed to take control of the aircraft, navigate to a suitable airport, and execute a fully automated landing in the event of pilot incapacitation.

Embraer integrates this capability through its Garmin G3000-based Prodigy Touch flight deck. Michael Amalfitano, President & CEO of Embraer Executive Jets, stated that the aircraft builds on the capabilities of the Phenom 300 series, “now enhanced through purposeful innovations that further elevate safety technology, best-in-class performance characteristics, and the customer experience.”

Performance upgrades and delivery timeline

While the airframe remains largely unchanged from its predecessor, the Phenom 300EV introduces specific performance and comfort enhancements. AVweb reports that the updated jet features a maximum zero fuel weight increase, providing 430 pounds of additional payload capacity. The aircraft maintains a maximum speed of Mach 0.80 and a range of 2,055 nautical miles with National Business Aviation Association (NBAA) instrument flight rules (IFR) reserves and four passengers.

Passenger comfort upgrades include a maximum cabin altitude of 6,600 feet. Embraer officially introduced the Phenom 300EV on July 14, 2026, focusing the evolution on avionics and cabin technology rather than a clean-sheet redesign. Following this triple certification, Flying Magazine notes that Embraer targets 2028 for the first Phenom 300EV deliveries.

Amalfitano characterized the regulatory approval as a reflection of the manufacturer’s engineering discipline.

“Achieving triple certification is a testament to the dedication of our teams and Embraer’s disciplined approach to engineering excellence and execution. With this important milestone achieved, we look forward to bringing the Phenom 300EV to customers worldwide and extending the remarkable reputation of the Phenom 300 series.”

AirPro News analysis

We view the rapid certification of the Phenom 300EV as a strategic maneuver by Embraer to defend its dominance in the light jet market. By securing ANAC, FAA, and EASA approvals simultaneously, the manufacturer avoids the staggered regional rollouts that often complicate global delivery schedules. The integration of Garmin Emergency Autoland into a twin-engine platform is particularly notable. It establishes a new baseline for safety expectations in the light jet category, likely pressing competitors to accelerate their own autonomous safety integrations. This follows Embraer’s successful triple certification of the Praetor 500E and 600E earlier in 2026, demonstrating a highly efficient regulatory compliance pipeline.

Sources: Embraer

Textron Inc. has appointed 29-year company veteran Brian Rohloff as the new president and chief executive officer of Textron Aviation, effective August 31, 2026. Rohloff succeeds Ron Draper, who is retiring after leading the Wichita-based manufacturers since 2018.

The leadership transition, announced in a press release on August 24, 2026, places Rohloff at the helm of one of the largest general aviation manufacturers in the world. He will oversee marquee brands including Cessna, Beechcraft, and Pipistrel during a period of planned corporate restructuring and active aircraft certification programs.

Executive transition and corporate restructuring

Rohloff brings nearly three decades of experience across multiple functions at Textron Aviation. Textron Inc. President and CEO Lisa Atherton expressed confidence in the appointment, stating that Rohloff has built trusted relationships with employees, customers, and suppliers.

“Brian is a proven leader who brings a deep understanding of our business, our products, our customers and our industry,” Atherton said in the company statement.

Draper began his career with Textron in 1999 as director of supply-chain management for Cessna Aircraft. He will remain with the company as a senior adviser through the end of 2026 to facilitate the transition. According to reporting by FLYING Magazine, the executive change occurs ahead of a broader planned restructuring of Textron’s business units.

Reflecting on his tenure, Draper noted his gratitude for the opportunity to lead the team. He told FLYING Magazine that the company successfully navigated challenges and advanced aviation while maintaining its commitment to customers and communities.

Advancing the Cessna Citation lineup

Rohloff assumes control of Textron Aviation during a busy period for its product development and delivery pipelines. On August 17, 2026, the manufacturer announced the 500th delivery of a Cessna Citation CJ4 series business jet. The milestone aircraft, a Cessna Citation CJ4 Gen2, was delivered to a customer in the Philippines.

The company is currently preparing for the certification of its next-generation Cessna Citation CJ4 Gen3, alongside ongoing production and development of the Cessna Citation XLS+, Cessna Citation X, Cessna SkyCourier, and Beechcraft Denali.

AirPro News analysis

We view this transition as a continuity play for Textron Aviation. Elevating a 29-year internal veteran signals a preference for stability as the manufacturer navigates the certification of the Cessna Citation CJ4 Gen3 and the Beechcraft Denali. Draper’s eight-year tenure as chief executive provided a steady hand through significant supply-chain disruptions and the integration of Pipistrel into the corporate portfolio. Retaining him as an adviser through the end of 2026 should ensure a seamless handover before the broader corporate restructuring takes full effect.

Sources: Textron Inc.

Infinity Aviation Group has expanded its fixed base operations (FBO) network into the New York metropolitan area with the acquisition of the FlightServ facility at Trenton-Mercer Airports (TTN) in New Jersey.

Announced in an August 19, 2026, press release, the acquisition marks the third location for Infinity Aviation Group. The Trenton facility joins the company’s existing operations in Nashua, New Hampshire, and Vero Beach, Florida. The move positions the company to capture business aviation traffic seeking uncongested alternatives to Teterboro and Morristown airports.

Facility specifications and capabilities

The FlightServ facility at Trenton-Mercer Airport was completed in 2023. The complex features a 30,000-square-foot FBO terminal and 80,000 square feet of climate-controlled hangar space. The hangars are equipped with 28-foot doors, allowing the facility to accommodate the largest business aviation aircraft currently in service.

Trenton-Mercer Airport features a 6,000-foot primary runway and operates without slot restrictions. The airport also maintains on-site U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) capabilities for international arrivals.

“Trenton sits in one of the busiest business aviation markets in the country, and with the addition of this site, Infinity will be able to better serve the New York metropolitan business aviation community,” said Steven Levesque, CEO of Infinity Aviation Group.

Levesque noted that the company plans to invest further in the Trenton operation by adding hangar capacity and expanding ramp capabilities.

Continuity for charter and maintenance operations

While Infinity Aviation Group has acquired the FBO business, the founding ownership of FlightServ will maintain a presence at the airport. Aviation Charters, a Part 135 charter and aircraft management business operated by the founders, will remain on-site to provide charter, management, and maintenance services.

The existing FlightServ FBO staff will transition to Infinity Aviation Group. According to Levesque, the retention of the local team is part of a broader strategy to maintain service continuity while integrating the location into the company’s East Coast network.

AirPro News analysis

We view Infinity Aviation Group’s acquisition at Trenton-Mercer Airport as a strategic play for the congested Northeast corridor. As Teterboro Airport and Westchester County Airport continue to face capacity constraints, slot restrictions, and noise abatement pressures, satellite airports like TTN become increasingly valuable for business aircraft operators. By securing a recently built facility with large-cabin hangar capacity and on-site customs, Infinity establishes a highly capable relief valve for New York and Philadelphia traffic. Linking New Hampshire, New Jersey, and Florida also aligns directly with the dominant North-South corporate and private travel patterns on the Eastern Seaboard.

Sources: Infinity Aviation Group