Described as the only mid-size business transport to feature FBW (fly-by-wire) technology, the Legacy 500 series entered service in the second half of 2014.

The prototype of the EC-135 series (D-HECX) made its first flight at Ottobrunn, Germany on 5 February 1995, this being the first definitive aircraft following the completion of a test flying programme with two BO-108 technology demonstrators