Country of origin:

Brazil

Description:

Business and corporate jet transport

Power Plant:

Two 6,540 lbst Honeywell HTF7500E turbofans

Specifications:

History:

Described as the only mid-size business transport to feature FBW (fly-by-wire) technology, the Embraer Legacy 500 series entered service in the second half of 2014. With a range of 5,788 km (3,597 miles) and the capability of flying at 13,716 m (45,000 ft) the Legacy 500 was “a clean sheet design that set new standards and delivered premium comfort, outstanding performance, with high utilisation capability and high dispatch reliability”.

The Legacy 500 was initially referred to as the MSJ (mid-size jet) at the National Business Association of America event in 2007, and was officially launched at the European Busines Aviation Convention and Exhibition (EBACE) event in 2008, together with the Legacy 450. The aircraft was able to carry up to 12 passengers, but with four passengers could travel over 5,190 km (3,225 miles).

The prototype (c/n 00001) was rolled out on 23 December 2011 for ground testing and system evaluation before making its first flight on 27 November 2012 and certification by ANAC Brazil (Agencia Nacional de Aviacao Civil), the National Civil Aviation Agency, was received on 12 August 2014, first deliveries commencing in October 2014. The second and third prototypes made their first flights in February and March of 2013.

The Legacy 500 was constructed using aluminium alloy and composite material. The aircraft had three sections which included the cockpit, centre fuselage and rear fuselage. It was fitted with a Pro Line Fusion integrated avionics suite developed by Rockwell Collins. There were four high resolution 38.1 cm (15 in) LCD displays. It also included an advanced human-machine interface with graphical flight planning capabilities. The cabin had a height of 1.82 m (6 ft), a width of 2.1 m (6 ft 10 in) and a length of 12.95 m (42 ft 6 in), the interior being designed by Designworks USA, a part of the BMW Group.

Total baggage space was 4.24 m³ (150 cub ft), this including an internal baggage space of 1.13 m³ (40 cub ft) and an external area of 3.11 m³ (110 cub ft). The cabin had 14 windows, LED lighting, and an entertainment and communication system. The Legacy 500 was the first mid-size business jet to feature digital flight controls with sidesticks. The fly-by-wire system, which was incorporated in the Legacy 500 and Legacy 450, received a Flightglobal Achievement Award as Innovator of the Year in 2010.

In February 2015 Embraer Executive Jets announced the delivery of a new Legacy 500 (N142GZ) to an undisclosed customer based in north Queensland, the aircraft to be used for business purposes. The purchase was negotiated by Norris Aviation Services of Australia. In January 2015 the Australian Civil Aviation Safety Authority awarded Type Certification for the type.

To support the operation of the Legacy series in the Australasian region, Embraer Executive Jets authorised ExecuJet to provide maintenance.

On 22 January 2019 an EMB 505 became VH-UYX (c/n 505-00502) to Special Mining Services Pty Ltd of Glenorie, NSW, and this aircraft was operated by Flight Options (Australia) Pty Ltd of Mudjimba, QLD.  A further example, a Legacy 500, was VH-FJP (c/n 50000237) owned by China Southern West Australian Flying College of Willetton, WA, and operated by Revesco Aviation of Belmont, WA, but it was exported to the United States in October 2019. Another example became VH-LWZ (c/n 50000306) on 2 August 2013 to the China Southern West Australian Flying College Pty Ltd of Willetton, WA and was operated by Revesco Aviation Pty Ltd of Perth, WA but in March 2020 it was exported to the Republic of San Marino as T7-PET.