Embraer’s midsize Legacy 500 made its successful debut flight on tuesday, marking the beginning of its flight test program. Embraer test p...
Embraer’s midsize Legacy 500 made its successful debut flight on tuesday, marking the beginning of its flight test program.
Embraer test pilots Mozart Louzada and Eduardo Camelier with flight test engineers Gustavo Paixão and Alexandre Figueiredo flew the aircraft for one hour and forty five minutes, performing handling and performance characteristics evaluation.
As a result of the extensive simulation use and ground testing, the aircraft was able to cover a significant flight envelope on the maiden flight. Aircraft systems were assessed including landing gear retraction.
“From the minute you enter the cockpit, you can tell this is clearly a remarkable, new-generation aircraft,” Capt. Louzada said. “The flight was a success, precisely according to plan. In fact, it wasflawless.” The spacious, uncluttered flight deck features a side stick controller and the most advanced avionics system available today.
Deliveries of the first aircraft are expected to begin in 2014.
The Legacy 500 is a “clean-sheet” design based on extensive input from operators and customers.“We listened enthusiastically and acted aggressively,” said Marco Túlio Pellegrini, Senior Vice President Operations & Chief Operating Officer, Embraer Executive Jets. “The Legacy 500 is truly the product of market desires and preferences.”
The Legacy 500 is the first midsize business jet incorporating a fly-by-wire control system and full six-foot, stand-up cabin with a flat floor. “It has the largest cabin in its class, by far, and provides the comfort and incorporates the technology found only in larger, more expensive aircraft,” Pellegrini said. “It is, undoubtedly, raising the bar in terms of technology, performance, style and comfort for future designs.”
The midsize Legacy 500 will be followed by Embraer’s fourth clean-sheet design, the mid-light Legacy 450, which will enter service one year later. “Clean-sheet designs are part of our DNA. They are the reason we can be so responsive to customer needs without compromise,” Pellegrini said. Embraer’s popular entry-level Phenom 100 and light Phenom 300 are also clean-sheet designs.
The Legacy 500 is powered by two advanced, fuel-efficient Honeywell HTF 7500E turbofan engines, each capable of producing 6,540 pounds of thrust. The aircraft features Rockwell Collins Pro Line Fusion avionics with synthetic vision.
Legacy 500 Specifications:
Range (NBAA Reserves, 200 nm alternate, Long Range Cruise, 4 pax) 3,000 nautical miles
High-Speed Cruise Mach 0.82
Balanced Field Length (MTOW, ISA, SL) 4,600 feet
Maximum Operating Altitude 45,000 feet
Seating Configuration 2 + 8/12
Cabin Dimensions Max Height 6 feet
Cabin Dimensions Max Width 6 feet, 10 inches
Cabin Dimensions Length 26 feet, 10 inches
Baggage Capacity External 110 cubic feet
Baggage Capacity Internal 40 cubic feet
Baggage Capacity Total 150 cubc feet
