Aero Supplier Draws Life-of-Program Contract

Embraer placed a “life of program” supply agreement with CPI Aerostructures Inc. to manufacture engine inlet assemblies for the Embraer Phenom 100EX business jets. In contrast to a standard contract, such an agreement is structured to last as long as the original equipment manufacturer (in this instance, the Brazilian jet builder) continues to produce the stated product.

No value or length was reported for the supply agreement.

An engine air inlet (or air intake) assembly channels fresh air from outside the engine directly to the air filter and engine cylinders. A continuous supply of oxygen drives fuel combustion that powers the aircraft

The Phenom 100EX is a private aircraft introduced by Embraer in 2023, the latest variant of the Phenom 100 series that has drawn 435 orders since 2008. With capacity for four or five passengers and a range of 1,380 nautical miles (1,588 miles/2,556 km), the Phenom 100EX aircraft is powered by twin Pratt & Whitney Canada PW617F1-E turbofan engines.

“This program is a perfect fit for CPI’s Aerostructures Assembly & Integration Market Segment and builds on the experience and performance we have on the Phenom 300 series, having delivered over 1900 inlets to date,” stated president and CEO Dorith Hakim. “We look forward to demonstrating our capabilities on the Phenom 100 program and to earning Embraer’s continued business.”

CPI Aero is a New York-based manufacturer of structural assemblies for fixed wing aircraft, helicopters, and airborne Intelligence Surveillance and Reconnaissance pod systems, for commercial aerospace and defense markets.

In addition to supplying the Embraer Phenom 100 and Phenom 300 series, the company manufactures assemblies, parts, and sub-systems for major defense platforms, including the Northrop Grumman E-2D Advanced Hawkeye, Lockheed Martin F-16 Falcon, and Sikorsky UH-60 Black Hawk, and the Fairchild Aircraft A-10 Thunderbolt.