Embraer's latest business jet, the mid-range Legacy 500, made its first flight this week in Brazil.
The jet started its test program with a successful 105-minute flight at the hands of test pilots Mozart Louzada and Eduardo Camelier, which included extensive testing and gear retraction. Embraer attributes the vast testing envelope to ground testing and simulation.
As the Legacy 500 is the first business jet in its class with fly-by-wire technology, Embraer's executives are understandably excited about the success of the maiden flight.
"This is the aircraft that will move us from industry player to industry leader,” said Ernest Edwards, President, Embraer Executive Jets.
“The Legacy 500 breaks through the traditional midsize jet envelope to offer something that has never been done before. It is hard to overstate the importance of fly-by-wire technology. Fly-by-wire does for business aviation what GPS has done for navigation. It will empower more precision, efficiency, safety and comfort every time the aircraft flies.”
Powered by two Honeywell HTF 7500E turbofans, the Legacy 500 has a high-speed cruise of 0.82 Mach and a cruise range of 3000 nm.
Depending upon how it's configured, the new jet's cabin will accommodate two crew plus up to 12 passengers in a six-foot stand-up cabin.
First deliveries of the new Embraer are expected in 2014, and the company's next clean-sheet design, the mid-light Legacy 450 is expected to follow a year later.