Flexjet of the US, a leading provider of fractional jet ownership services, has received its first Embraer Legacy 500 business jet.  

“It’s a great privilege to have been selected by Flexjet for the expansion of its world-class fleet,” says Marco Tulio Pellegrini, President and CEO, Embraer Executive Jets. “The Legacy 500, and soon the Legacy 450, will deliver true innovation to Flexjet customers, and we are committed to providing the highest level of customer support and service.”

Flexjet Chief Executive Officer Michael Silvestro says: “We know that current and prospective owners are seeking cabins that are larger and more luxurious than those typically found in this category, complemented by the newest technology and optimised performance. We are thrilled to bring the innovative Legacy midsized cabin solution to the market.”

The Dallas-based Flexjet’s fractional programme already features the Embraer Phenom 300 light jet. 

Since certification by Brazil’s ANAC (Agência Nacional de Aviação Civil) in August 2014, the Legacy 500 has been certified by another five aviation authorities in the US, Mexico, the European Union, the Middle East, and Australia.

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 jet has a range of 3,125 nautical miles (5,788 km) with four passengers, including NBAA IFR IFR (National Business Aviation Association instrument flight rules) fuel reserves, which enables it to fly non-stop from Los Angeles to Honolulu, or Teterboro in the US to London in the UK.

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 authorised service centres, complemented by a 24/7 contact centre, at its headquarters, in Brazil.