Embraer Executive Jets’ new Legacy 500 midsize business jet – which entered the market last October – has set four new world speed records for its class this year, according to the Brazilian manufacturer.

One of these was between Germany and the UAE and marked the jet’s longest flight to date.

“These speed records validate the Legacy 500’s game-changing performance. Having achieved or exceeded each of its design goals for certification, this revolutionary aircraft is now demonstrating all of its operational capabilities, including oceanic missions,” says Marco Túlio Pellegrini, President and CEO, Embraer Executive Jets. “The Legacy 500 is indeed the best-in-class midsize jet, which delivers an impressive combination of comfort, advanced technology, speed and range; all at a low operating cost.” 

The first two records were set for “Speed over a Recognised Course” on a round-trip flight from Oakland, California to Lihue, Hawaii, with six passengers on board, covering 2,135 nm (3,954 km). The flight from Oakland to Lihue, in March, was completed in 5 hours and 49 minutes, achieving an average ground speed of 420 mph (676 km/h). The return flight took only 4 hours and 11 minutes, at an average ground speed of 586 mph (943km/h). 

The third speed record set by the Legacy 500 was in route to Friedrichshafen, Germany, from Bangor, Maine, US. The 3,210 nm (5,945 km) flight was completed in 6 hours and 50 minutes, with three occupants onboard. 

The fourth speed record was set from Düsseldorf in Germany to Dubai in the UAE, spanning a distance of 3,268 nm (6,052 km), the longest Legacy 500 flight to date. 

The flight duration was 7 hours and 3 minutes. With 1,900 lb of fuel reserves after landing, the average hourly fuel consumption was only 1,590 lb. 

Once the National Aeronautic Association (NAA) has confirmed each flight as a US record, the figures will be sent to the Federation Aeronautique Internationale in Switzerland for recognition as world records. In all four flights, the Legacy 500 completed the mission with NBAA IFR (National Business Aviation Association Instrument Flight Rules) fuel reserves.

The Legacy 500 is said to have the best-in-class six-foot flat-floor cabin, which is comparable to those of some aircraft in the super midsize category. Eight club seats may be berthed into four beds for complete rest in a cabin altitude of 6,000 feet. The in-flight entertainment system consists of a high definition video system, surround sound, multiple audio and video input options, a cabin management system, and three options for voice communications and connectivity.

The Legacy 500 is the first midsize business jet with digital flight controls, based on fly-by-wire technology, featuring side sticks. The state-of-the-art Rockwell Collins Pro Line Fusion avionics suite on four 15-inch high resolution LCD displays allows graphical flight planning, and has options like paperless operations capability, auto brakes, and the E2VS (Embraer enhanced vision system), which includes a head up display (HUD) with the enhanced vision system (EVS).

The Legacy 500 is capable of flying at 45,000 feet and is powered by two Honeywell HTF7500E engines, the greenest in their class. Taking off from airfields as short as 4,084 ft, the Legacy 500 has a range of 3,125 nautical miles (5,788 km) with four passengers, including NBAA IFR fuel reserves.

Embraer is one of the world’s leading executive jet manufacturers, having entered the business aviation market in 2000 with the Legacy jet, which led to the launch of Embraer Executive Jets in 2005. 

Its portfolio consists of the entry-level Phenom 100E and the Phenom 300 light jet, the Legacy 500 midsize and Legacy 450 mid-light, the super midsize Legacy 600 and large Legacy 650, and the ultra-large Lineage 1000E. Completing ten years in the market, Embraer Executive Jets’ global fleet exceeds 860 aircraft, which are in operation in more than 60 countries and are supported by the company’s global customer support and services network of 76 owned and authorized service centres, complemented by a 24/7 contact centre, at its headquarters, in Brazil.