Formally launched at the European Business Aviation Convention & Exhibition (EBACE) in 2008, the Legacy 500 is a mid-size business jet, the latest being developed by Embraer, the renowned aerospace major of Brazil. The first prototype was rolled out on December 23, 2011, to begin ground testing and systems evaluation. The first engine run test was completed on January 17, 2012, and the maiden flight for the business jet was successfully undertaken on November 27, 2012. Currently in the flight test phase, certification of the Legacy 500 by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) is expected by mid-2014.

Clean Sheet Design

The clean sheet design of the Legacy 500 has redefined the midsize jet with larger cabin, longer range and technology that is more advanced than any other. The aircraft leverages the latest advances in aerodynamics, lightweight materials and technical innovations. The benefit of designing a totally new aircraft is that the latest technologies can be incorporated to completely replace old technologies.

Fly-By-Wire Controls

One of the most significant advancements of the Legacy 500 is that this aircraft is one of the first in its class to replace conventional controls with full fly-by-wire (FBW) technology. For the flight crew, the advantage of this new technology is instant response, better control and reduced workload as well as stress. Overall, this innovation provides for maximum performance and control ensuring smoother flight especially while flying through turbulence.

Based on the experience with FBW on their E-170 and E-190 airliners, Embraer forayed into FBW technology on the new Legacy executive jets which incidentally are the only aircraft in this category endowed with this technology that is priced at under $52 million.

The computer controlled FBW system removes direct mechanical and hydraulic links between the side-stick and the control surfaces translating the manual input from the pilot electronically rather than mechanically. Apart from reduction in overall weight of the aircraft, FBW technology ensures that the aircraft remains in the normal operating range as FBW technology automatically overrides control inputs by the pilot should this cause the aircraft to exceed operating limits. Electronic flyby-wire systems increase the number of control surfaces that can be actuated simultaneously. The Legacy 500 FBW system has received the prestigious Flightglobal Achievement Award in the Innovator of the Year category 2010.

Superior Performance and Comfort

This latest product from the family of executive jets by Embraer provides the longest range of any mid-size jet combined with the fastest high speed cruise and the ability to carry the most payloads. It can be configured to carry up to 12 passengers, and can carry eight passengers over 5,186 km or four passengers over 5,556 km. With eight passengers, the Legacy 500 can fly from coast to coast in the US at a speed of Mach 0.8.

On October 21, 2013, at the National Business Aviation Association’s (NBAA) Business Aviation Convention & Exhibition 2013, Embraer executive jets briefed the media on product enhancements in the Legacy 500 programme. The company unveiled a new exquisitely designed interior of the Legacy 500 executive jet that will deliver an above premium travel experience to customers. This new level of style, luxury and quality clearly demonstrates that the Legacy 500 is the new beginning for executive mid-size jets.

The Legacy 500 is a best-in-class mid-size executive jet with a six-foot flat-floor cabin and even wider than some aircraft in the super mid-size category. Eight club seats may be berthed into four beds for complete rest in a cabin altitude at 6,000 feet, with the latest in-flight entertainment, communications and connectivity systems.

A high point of the press conference at the NBAA in October this year was the announcement by Embraer executive jets that the well known actor Jackie Chan was to be the launch customer of the Legacy 500 in China, with delivery scheduled for 2015. Jackie Chan became the first customer of the Embraer Legacy 650 in China and is also Embraer executive jets’ brand ambassador.

Futuristic Flight Deck

The centrepiece of its dark and quiet flight deck is an advanced avionics suite based on the prestigious Rockwell Collins Pro Line Fusion Platform and designed specifically for the Legacy 500 by the pilots who will fly it. A synthetic vision system will be a standard fit. An enhanced vision system and head-up display (HUD) will be available as options. Standard auto throttles will conserve fuel and extend engine life while providing pilots with reduced workload.

Customer Support

Delivering excellent customer support since 1969, today, Embraer has an ever expanding global network of executive jet service centres that are linked by the company’s 24x7 contact centre to ensure peace of mind for operators of business jets. The company has built on its experience to develop a specific programme for executive jets that is constantly being evaluated and customised to each client’s needs.