Embraer Executive Jets Legacy 500 Exceeds 300 Hours in flight test and debuts at EBACE

Legacy 500

Geneva, Switzerland, May 20, 2013 – As the Legacy 500 has achieved over 300 flight test hours, Embraer Executive Jets is debuting its latest, game-changing aircraft at the13th European Business Aviation Convention and Exhibition (EBACE). This is the first time the midsize jet has made a public appearance outside of Brazil and is expected to be a highlight of this year’s show.

At the same time Embraer Executive Jets will also be premiering a cinematic-style film starring the Legacy 500, illustrating how the Company is bringing tomorrow’s aircraft to the market today. The film also features a special guest appearance to be revealed at its premier.

“Embraer Executive Jets has already created a lot of comments about the Legacy 500 and now people can take a look at this remarkable aircraft for themselves,” said Ernest Edwards, President, Embraer Executive Jets. “The aircraft is no longer a concept and its debut is a very significant milestone for the company. We have three prototypes flying and our confidence in its maturity is such that we have flown Serial Number Three to Geneva. The Legacy 500 is the perfect illustration of what makes us different. Our mission is to bring amenities normally found in larger, more expensive jets to all levels of business aviation and, in doing so, have brought changes to the entire industry. The Legacy 500 will continue what has become our role in the industry and that is to raise the bar across the entire class spectrum and drive the change the 21st Century business aviation user is seeking.”

With three prototypes in flight test, over 30% of the flight test campaign has been completed. The Legacy 500 is making swift progress since Serial Number One made its maiden flight on November 27, 2012. The campaign began in December and pilots are reporting outstanding flying qualities that have exceeded expectations. It is being used for performance flights and systems tests. Serial Number 2, which took to the air in February 2013, has finished the IFTD (In Flight Thrust Determination) tests and is continuing with additional performance and systems tests. Serial Number 3, which joined the test campaign in March, has passed cold soak tests at Eglin Air Force Base in the U.S. and is the aircraft now on display at EBACE.

Development of the mid-light Legacy 450 is proceeding on schedule with the first flight expected in the second half of 2013. The Legacy 450 fuselage is now being assembled and will soon be mated to the wings which have already been produced.

The Legacy 450 and Legacy 500 are two of the first clean-sheet designs in the mid-light and midsize categories in 15 years. Scheduled to enter service in the first half of 2014, the Legacy 500 has already won several international design and innovation awards. It is the first midsize jet with full fly-by-wire technology for complete envelope protection and improved comfort, efficiency and reduced pilot workload resulting in even more safety. The Legacy 500 is the first midsize jet with a six-foot (1.82-meter), stand-up cabin, offering the best cabin volume in the class. It is the only midsize jet with a wet galley. It offers the best high-speed cruise and the best cabin pressurization at 6,000 feet to ease jet lag.