Begins Taking Orders For Legacy 450 Midlight, Legacy 500 Midsize Bizjets

Brazil's Embraer announced Tuesday at EBACE 2008 the commercial names of the newest additions to its executive jets portfolio. The Embraer midlight and Embraer midsize jets have been named the Legacy 450 and the Legacy 500, respectively, forming the Legacy family, along side the ERJ-based Legacy 600 already in operation.

"The Legacy 450 and the Legacy 500 will be revolutionary best-in-class jets, building on the Legacy brand, delivering premium comfort, outstanding performance, and low operating costs," said Luís Carlos Affonso, Embraer Executive Vice President, Executive Jets. "We have signed over 100 letters of interest and will begin receiving customer orders at EBACE."

As ANN reported, Embraer teased the new jets -- then known as the MLJ and MSJ -- in concept form at NBAA 2007 in Atlanta. The jets were formally unveiled in April.

The Legacy 450 and Legacy 500 both are clean-sheet design aircraft, the first in their categories to offer a six-foot stand-up cabin with a flat floor. Full fly-by-wire technology will enhance travel comfort and reduce pilot workload.

Both jets will be powered by Honeywell’s latestgeneration HTF7500E engines, and Honeywell will also supply its 36-150 Auxiliary Power Unit. Rockwell Collins will provide its acclaimed state-of-the-art Pro Line Fusion avionics suite.

The Legacy 500 is expected to enter service in the second half of 2012, and the Legacy 450 in the second half of 2013. The launch price for the Legacy 450 will be US$ 15.25 million and that of the Legacy 500 will be US$ 18.4 million, based on 2008 economic conditions.

FMI: www.embraer.com