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How to Buy a Embraer Phenom 300 / 300E: Buyer's Guide
A fast, roomy, single-pilot light jet with strong resale. Buy on engine program status, avionics generation and records, not just paint and leather.
Updated October 2026 · Market data from 9 live fyiAero listings, the FAA registry and NTSB records
Overview
The Embraer EMB-505, sold as the Phenom 300 and later the Phenom 300E, is a single-pilot-certified light jet that behaves more like a midsize airplane in the cabin. It entered service at the end of the 2000s and became one of the most-delivered business jets of its era. There is a reason it shows up in fractional fleets, charter operations and owner-flown hangars alike: big baggage space, an externally serviced lavatory, a flat-floor-feeling cabin and real range.
The market is tight. fyiAero listings currently show 9 aircraft for sale out of a U.S.-registered fleet of 635 per the FAA registry, with asking prices running from $8,495,000 to $11,995,000 and a median of $10,245,000. Five of those listings are original Phenom 300s and four are 300Es. The median airframe time across listings is 1,463 hours, which tells you much of the available inventory is lightly to moderately used rather than run-out fleet airplanes.
Because so many Phenom 300s have flown in fractional and charter service, two airplanes of the same year can be very different animals. The way to win in this market is to understand the generation you are buying, verify engine and airframe maintenance program coverage, and get a thorough pre-buy at a shop that knows Embraer.
Who it's for. The Phenom 300 fits an owner or company flying regional trips with several passengers who wants jet speed and range without stepping up to a midsize airframe. fyiAero operating data puts it at about 405 knots cruise, 2,000 nm range and 7 passengers, which covers most domestic missions with one stop or fewer. It is certified for single-pilot operation, but this is a serious jet. Expect to need a type rating from an approved Embraer training provider and recurrent training every year. Insurers will look hard at your total time, turbine and jet experience, and prior type history. A low-time owner moving up from a piston or turboprop should expect a mentor-pilot requirement, a second-pilot requirement for some period, or both, along with a higher premium. Many owners hire a professional captain or fly two-crew by choice, and that choice can make insurance easier to place.
Generations and variants
| Version | Years | What changed |
|---|---|---|
| Phenom 300 (original) | 2009-2017 | This is the original airplane with Pratt & Whitney Canada PW535E engines and the Garmin-based Prodigy flight deck. It is the value entry point, and it is the generation where fractional and charter history, avionics software level and engine program status swing price the most. |
| Phenom 300E (first 300E) | 2018-2019 | The first 300E brought a redesigned cabin with a lower, more ergonomic interior layout and an upper technology panel, along with cabin management and comfort improvements. The mechanicals were largely carried over, so buyers are mostly paying for a newer, nicer cabin and a younger airframe. |
| Phenom 300E (updated, Prodigy Touch) | 2020-2022 | This update added uprated PW535E1 engines for better speed and climb, plus the touchscreen Prodigy Touch flight deck and added safety features such as runway overrun awareness alerting. These airplanes command a clear premium over earlier 300Es because the panel and engines cannot be easily retrofitted. |
| Phenom 300E (later production) | 2023-present | Later aircraft continued to refine the 300E, including features such as an autothrottle and further avionics enhancements. These rarely appear on the pre-owned market, and when they do, they price close to new. |
What a Embraer Phenom 300 / 300E costs to buy
2 priced listings on fyiAero right now ask between $8,495,000 and $11,995,000, with a median of $10,245,000 and a median of 1,463 hours total time. Against fyiEstimate, 2 are priced below estimate, 0 within range and 0 above.
- Know where the range sits. fyiAero listings run from $8,495,000 to $11,995,000 with a median of $10,245,000. In the current sample, a 2012 Phenom 300 asks $8,495,000 and a 2018 300E asks $11,995,000. Generation and year are the first big price lever.
- Engine program enrollment is the second big lever. An airplane enrolled on a manufacturer engine program with a clean transfer is worth substantially more than one paying by the hour. Have the program provider confirm status, any buy-in cost and transferability in writing before you sign.
- Use 1,463 hours as your yardstick. That is the median airframe time in fyiAero listings. Below that is low-use inventory, and well above it often means a former fractional or charter airplane. That history is not bad if the records are complete, but it should cost less.
- Check the airframe maintenance program and phase inspection status too. A big inspection that is coming due can amount to a meaningful chunk of money and downtime, so negotiate it into the price.
- With only 9 airplanes listed, good ones move fast. Have financing, an insurance quote, and a pre-buy shop lined up before you make an offer.
- Look past the paint and leather. Avionics software level, connectivity hardware and damage history affect resale more than interior color.
Average asking price by model year
Pre-buy inspection checklist
Have a shop that knows the type do the pre-buy, and ask them to research every applicable AD and service bulletin. Pay particular attention to:
- Engine program records and borescope. Confirm program enrollment and coverage, hot section condition, trend monitoring data and any deferred items. Engines are the largest single value component.
- Brake system and wheel/tire condition. Runway excursions and brake-related events have been a recurring theme on light jets. Inspect brake wear, the brake control system, anti-skid function and any history of brake-related squawks or component replacements.
- Landing gear and trunnions. Hard landings or runway excursions in charter or fractional service can leave gear and attach-point damage. Review gear inspections and look for any repair history.
- Ice protection system. Verify proper operation and inspect leading edges and associated plumbing and valves. Ask the shop to research every AD and service bulletin touching ice protection, stall warning and related systems.
- Avionics software and database level. Confirm the Prodigy or Prodigy Touch software version, which optional features are enabled, ADS-B Out compliance and any outstanding Garmin or Embraer service items. Upgrades on older airplanes can be expensive.
- Pressurization and environmental system. Check pressurization performance, outflow valve operation, bleed air components and air cycle machine health. Leaks and ECS issues are common squawk items on high-cycle airplanes.
- Windshield and cabin windows. Look for delamination, heating element faults, crazing and chips. Windshield replacement is costly and creates downtime.
- Damage history and logbook continuity. Pull NTSB and FAA records, and confirm complete logs from new, especially across ownership or operator changes from fractional or charter fleets.
- Corrosion and airframe condition. Inspect the wheel wells, belly, lavatory service area, flap tracks and baggage areas. Airplanes based near salt water or left outside deserve extra scrutiny.
- AD and service bulletin compliance. Have the inspecting shop research and verify every applicable AD and Embraer service bulletin for the specific serial number, including recurring items.
Popular upgrades
- Avionics software and feature enhancements. Factory or Garmin enhancement packages, such as synthetic vision, WAAS/LPV approaches, datalink weather and charts, add usability and support resale. Airplanes still on early software trade at a discount.
- Cabin connectivity. High-speed Wi-Fi systems have become expected by passengers and charter customers. A modern installed system adds appeal, while an older or obsolete system may be a liability.
- Interior refurbishment. Fresh seats, cabinetry touch-ups and carpet help an older original 300 compete. Do not expect to recover the full cost at resale, and a refurbished cabin will not make an original 300 look like a 300E.
- Paint. A quality repaint helps marketability but adds little dollar value on its own. Check for overspray and proper rebalancing of control surfaces after painting.
- Engine and airframe program enrollment. Buying an airplane into an engine or airframe maintenance program, or keeping it enrolled, is the single most value-protective decision an owner makes on this type.
Ownership costs
fyiAero's operating cost estimate puts variable costs at about $2,854 per flight hour, driven largely by a fuel burn of roughly 173 gallons per hour plus engine program and maintenance reserves. That works out to about $6.56 per nautical mile. Fixed costs, including hangar, insurance, crew, training, subscriptions and management, are estimated at around $607,972 a year. Flying 325 hours, the total annual budget comes to roughly $1,535,392. Owner-flown airplanes without a full-time salaried crew can come in under that fixed figure, while managed or charter airplanes may run differently. fyiAero estimates the average pre-owned value at about $8,223,958, so financing and depreciation belong in your planning alongside the hourly numbers.
Safety record
NTSB records show 2 accidents involving this type in the last 10 years, 1 of them fatal and none in which the aircraft was destroyed. Against a U.S. fleet of 635, that is about 3.1 accidents and 1.6 fatal accidents per 1,000 registered aircraft over the decade, a solid record for a high-utilization jet fleet. The risk areas that matter on this type are runway excursions on short, wet or contaminated runways, unstable approaches, icing operations, and workload management when flown single-pilot. Treat landing distance calculations conservatively, stay current and proficient through recurrent simulator training, and use a second pilot or mentor pilot until you are genuinely comfortable. Those habits are what keep owner-flown jets safe.
Alternatives to consider
- Cessna Citation CJ4. Strong single-pilot jet with a large support network and familiar Citation handling. Many buyers find the cabin and baggage less generous than the Phenom 300.
- Pilatus PC-24. Can use shorter and even unpaved runways and has a big cargo door. It costs more and has fewer pre-owned examples to choose from.
- Cessna Citation CJ3 / CJ3+. Lower acquisition and operating costs with a proven record. It is slower and has a smaller cabin.
- Learjet 75. Classic performance and speed in a midsize-feel cabin. The line is out of production, and long-term support and resale are bigger questions.
- HondaJet Elite. Cheaper to buy and run with modern avionics. The cabin, range and payload are noticeably smaller.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a used Phenom 300 cost?
fyiAero listings currently show asking prices from $8,495,000 to $11,995,000, with a median of $10,245,000. Year, generation, engine program status and airframe time drive where a specific airplane falls in that range.
What is the difference between the Phenom 300 and the Phenom 300E?
The 300E brought a redesigned, more ergonomic cabin. From 2020, it also added uprated engines and the Prodigy Touch touchscreen flight deck, so 300Es carry a clear premium over original 300s.
Can the Phenom 300 be flown single-pilot?
Yes, it is certified for single-pilot operation, but you need a type rating. Insurers often require mentor time or a second pilot for owners new to jets.
What does it cost to operate a Phenom 300 per hour?
fyiAero's estimate puts variable costs at about $2,854 per hour, with fuel burn around 173 gallons per hour. A 325-hour year including fixed costs budgets to roughly $1,535,392.
How many Phenom 300s are for sale?
fyiAero listings show 9 for sale: 5 Phenom 300s and 4 Phenom 300Es. The FAA registry shows 635 registered in the U.S., so inventory is tight.
Is the Phenom 300 safe?
NTSB records show 2 accidents, 1 fatal, in the last 10 years, or about 3.1 accidents per 1,000 registered aircraft. Good training, conservative runway planning and recurrent simulator work are the keys to operating it safely.
Embraer Phenom 300 / 300E for sale
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Prices, fleet and safety figures update automatically from fyiAero listings, the FAA aircraft registry and NTSB data. The editorial was written by fyiAero with AI assistance from that data and general type knowledge. It is not a substitute for a pre-buy inspection, title search or professional advice.
