Embraer’s very light jet (VLJ) entrant, the Phenom 100, continues on its path towards certification as it passed 1,000 hours in test flights, the Brazilian company announced at the EAA Airventure Oshkosh trade show this week. Embraer has built four of the planes for testing purposes, with the first of the retail production run already underway. If Embraer’s progress with the Phenom 100 continues unabated, the plane should receive FAA certification in the fall.

When the plane hits the market, priced at a reported $2.98 million, it should serve as a worthy adversary to the Eclipse 500 and Cessna Citation Mustang. It will be joined by another Embraer light jet model, the Phenom 300 some time in 2009.