PPG Aerospace rain-repellent windshields fly on first Embraer Phenom 100 jet

The first flight of the Embraer Phenom 100 very light jet marked another Embraer first: The very light executive jet was the Brazilian aircraft manufacturer's first airplane to use Surface Seal rain-repellent coating by PPG Industries' (NYSE:PPG) aerospace business as the primary windshield rain removal system.

The glass windshields by PPG Aerospace – Transparencies for the Phenom 100 have a proprietary hydrophobic coating that sheds rain to enhance visibility for the pilot during precipitation conditions, according to PPG Program and Account Manager Cole Eberle.

"Having the Surface Seal coating system by PPG for rain removal enabled Embraer to eliminate windshield wipers on the new jet and save the associated weight while enhancing aerodynamics," Eberle said.

PPG is the sole-source supplier of the structurally loaded, lightweight Herculite II glass windshields and the acrylic side cockpit windows for the Phenom 100 very light business jet and Phenom 300 light business jet, Eberle said. The windshields and windows are produced at PPG's Huntsville, Ala., facility.

Embraer expects the Phenom 100 very light jet to enter service in mid-2008 and the Phenom 300 light jet in mid-2009.