New Executive Jets from Embraer

Embraer has announced it will introduce two new executive jets, which will enter service in 2012 and 2013. A new midsize jet, recently named the Legacy 500, will enter service in 2012, while a slightly smaller “midlight” jet, the Legacy 450, will enter service a year later.

The two jets will be positioned between Embraer’s Legacy 600 and its Phenom 300 in the company’s product line-up. The Legacy 500 will have a range of 3,000 nm at Mach 0.80 with four passengers (or 2,800 miles with eight passengers), while the Legacy 450 will have a four-passenger range of 2,300 miles at Mach 0.78 (2,200 nm with eight passengers).

Both aircraft will be “clean-sheet” designs and will both feature full fly-by-wire control, which is unique to their classes. They will both have full six-foot (1.82 metre) stand-up cabins with flat floors and, according to Embraer, will have “best-in-class space and sound proofing, as well as baggage compartment volume.” The Legacy 500 will feature a fully equipped “wet” galley, while the Legacy 450 will offer a “refreshment centre”.

Both aircraft will feature the Rockwell Collins Pro Line Fusion™ avionics suite with four 15.1-inch high-resolution displays and both will have as standard features, a Synthetic Vision System, Integrated Flight Information Systems, Advanced Flight Management Systems and full-flight regimen auto-throttles. In addition, Enhanced Vison (EVS) and Head-up Guidance Systems (HGS) will be available as options.

Both aircraft will be powered by Honeywell HTF7500-E engines, which are based on that company’s HTF7000 platform. Embraer says the engines will incorporate the latest technologies and will offer improved fuel efficiency, ease of maintainability, low operating costs, and reduced noise and emissions.