News
Embraer Legacy 450 and Legacy 500 programs

May 12, 2009, São José dos Campos, Brazil  – Embraer announced yesterday during a press conference at  the ninth European Business Aviation Conference and Exhibition (EBACE 2009), that the  midlight Legacy 450 and midsize Legacy 500 executive jet programs have completed the Joint  Definition Phase (JDP), which began in July 2008 and involved over 100 engineers from key  system suppliers, as well as Embraer’s own staff.

“The Legacy 450 and Legacy 500 programs have passed a critical milestone, and we are  engaging over 500 engineers and technicians, as we begin the next phase,” said Luís Carlos  Affonso, Embraer Executive Vice President, Executive Jets. “We are confident that the  Legacy 450 and Legacy 500 are revolutionary products for their categories, and we continue  strongly committed to these executive jet programs.”

During the JDP, a multidisciplinary team of Embraer engineers, in collaboration with  suppliers co-located at the Company’s headquarters, finalized the Legacy 450 and Legacy 500  product definition, and established methods for fulfilling certification requirements with ANAC (Agência Nacional de Aviação Civil), the Brazilian civil aviation authority.

The new aircraft design is fully digital. Engineering teams completed the Preliminary Design  Review (PDR) and developed digital models of the aircraft, using CATIA V5 software to  provide a platform to complete structural and aerodynamic analyses at Embraer’s Virtual  Reality Center. Production planning and tooling design are performed with digital  manufacturing software, virtually simulating all milling and assembly processes well before  the first metal cut.

To validate the Man-Machine Interface (MMI), Embraer convened an advisory board, comprised of seasoned pilots and aircraft owners from various regions of the world. The group has validated the overall design of the jets, as well as cockpit functionality, providing input for defining the symbology and synoptics of the Rockwell Collins Pro Line Fusion™ flight deck. The contributions allowed engineering teams to incorporate suggestions that will reduce pilot workload and improve the safety, comfort and operational capabilities of the aircraft. Based on extensive customer interaction and design research, the  Legacy 500 jet cabin
interior design has been refined to incorporate enhancements to the seating and tables, mainly.  

In the current Detail Design and Certification Phase (DDCP), Embraer is working together with suppliers to detail the systems architecture and aircraft components, in order to release drawings for the first metal cut and for production of the prototypes, which will be used to conduct ground and flight tests.  The control laws for the fly-by-wire system are being validated by Embraer’s test pilots with flight  simulation tools. The Company also invited commercial and business aviation pilots to contribute to this validation process. The fly-by-wire system enabled the first implementation of the side-stick  solution in an Embraer aircraft, which will offer greater control and a smoother flight. For more  information about Embraer Executive Jets, visit www.EmbraerExecutiveJets.com . 

About the Legacy 450 and Legacy 500 executive jets

Launched in 2008, the midlight Legacy 450 and midsize Legacy 500 set a new paradigm in their respective executive jet categories. Their interiors were designed in partnership with BMW  Group DesignworksUSA, and offer unequaled comfort and style. These aircraft will have the largest cabin and the best acoustical insulation in their classes. A flat-floor stand-up (six-foot)  cabin, excellent pressurization, and vacuum lavatories are other highlights of the Legacy 450 and Legacy 500, complementing their superior performance and low operating costs.

The new-generation Rockwell Collins Pro Line Fusion™ avionics system will provide extensive situational awareness with a highly intuitive interface. Honeywell’s HTF7500E  state-of-the-art engines incorporate the latest technologies for meeting performance requirements with improved efficiency, in terms of fuel consumption, facilitated maintenance, low operating costs, and reduced noise and pollution emissions, thus lessening their environmental impact.

The jets will be the fastest in their categories and the only ones equipped with cutting-edge fly-by-wire electronic flight controls that increase operating safety and passenger comfort, while reducing pilot workload and fuel consumption.

The midnight Legacy 450 is being designed to carry up to nine passengers. Its range will be 2,300 nautical miles (4,260 km) with four passengers, or 2,200 nautical miles (4,070 km) with eight passengers, both including NBAA IFR fuel reserves, meaning the jet will be able to fly nonstop from London to Moscow (Russia) or Rabat (Morocco); from Delhi (India) to Dubai or Hong Kong; or from Jakarta (Indonesia) to Calcutta (India).  The midsize Legacy 500 will carry up to nine passengers. It is being designed for a range of 3,000 nautical miles (5,560 km) with four passengers, or 2,800 nautical miles (5,190 km) with eight passengers, both including NBAA IFR fuel reserves. These characteristics will allow customers to fly from New York to Los Angeles, in the U.S.; or from Moscow (Russia) to Mumbai (India).