The new Garmin G3000-based Prodigy Touch avionics suite for the Embraer Phenom 300 was certified early May by Brazil’s Agência Nacional de Aviação Civil and the U.S. FAA; EASA approval is expected in April 2014.

The Prodigy Touch suite is an optional upgrade from the standard G1000-based Prodigy flight deck. Although it will be generally available as an option starting in the fourth quarter of this year, a NetJets “Signature Series” Phenom 300 has already been delivered (on May 1) with Prodigy Touch fitted, and the fractional ownership provider’s 17 other Embraer light jets, which it is scheduled to receive this year, will also feature the Touch avionics.

Embraer Executive Jets (Booth 7041) said the new avionics “revolutionize” the man-machine interface and give pilots the first touch-screen-controlled glass flight deck designed for light turbine aircraft. “The Prodigy Touch benefits from all the existing Prodigy flight deck features, but enhances the experience with touch-screen technology,” said Embraer Executive Jets president Ernest Edwards. “It is part of Embraer Executive Jets’ ongoing efforts to continually offer improvements that enhance situational awareness and safety, and reduce pilot workload for a better overall flight experience.”

Prodigy Touch incorporates the latest technologies in a highly integrated and automated architecture. The system features three 14.1-inch displays–two primary flight displays (PFDs) and a multifunction display (MFD). All are capable of split-screen functionality to show additional information, such as displaying maps, charts, electronic documents, system synoptics and flight plan information, alongside the core information of each display.

The system also features two 5.7-inch touch-screen controllers that consolidate several interfaces. These controllers, which serve as primary data-entry points, feature an icon-driven interface built on an easy-to-navigate menu structure, enabling access to systems and sensors with fewer keystrokes or page sequences.