Embraer’s latest business jet, the Legacy 500, saw daylight on Dec. 23 and the Brazilian planemaker is pinning a lot of its future in the business jet market on the clean-sheet Legacy 500 and its follow-on, the Legacy 450. As we reported from EBACE 2008, the new aircraft fill the gap between its light and lighter Phenom 300 and 100 models and big-cabin 600 and 650 platforms. The rollout occurred at Embraer’s headquarters in Sao Jose dos Campos, Brazil, where the mid and super-midsize 450 and 500 will be built. First flight of this aircraft, the first of three test articles, is expected by the third quarter of 2012.
No. 1 will undergo ground and static tests before taking flight, and Embraer isn’t predicting certification and delivery dates yet (first deliveries were originally planned for 2012), but given the economic climate the program seems to be on track. The Legacy 500 has a standup cabin for up to 12 people. With four people enjoying the fully flat reclining berths it will scoot along at Mach .82 for 3,000 nm.
