Embraer reported yesterday that construction of its first U.S. assembly facility has begun. The new plant, located in Melbourne, Fla., International Airport will be dedicated to final assembly of Phenom 100 and 300 light jets, primarily for delivery to customers in North America. The facility complements Phenom manufacturing and assembly in Brazil.

The company reported this week that it has orders in hand for over 750 Phenoms. The smaller Phenom 100 was certified last year; the Phenom 300 is expected to earn its type certificate before year end.

The new Florida facility will have the capacity to turn out eight aircraft a month, but Luis Carlos Affonso, the executive vice president for Embraer's business jet group, said yesterday that a production rate has not yet been determined.

He added that a portion of the new site will be a dedicated a customer center where purchasers of any model of Embraer business jet can go to make selections regarding cabin designs and appointments.