Milestone Moves Toward First Flight In The Second Half Of 2011

Embraer has accomplished another milestone in the development of its new Legacy 500 midsize executive jet with the joining of the aircraft's three fuselage sections: cockpit, center fuselage and aft fuselage. Legacy 500 final assembly will take place at Embraer facilities in Sao Jose dos Campos, Brazil. This is an important step towards beginning flight tests in the second half of 2011.

"The joining of the fuselage sections of the first prototype is a key milestone in our development schedule, and we will join the second one in the near future. Embraer is adopting a multi-site industrial strategy for the production of parts and major structures of the Legacy 500, supplied from all over the world," says Mauricio Almeida, Embraer Vice President, Programs - Executive Jets. "Our robust design, manufacturing capability, and quality control process allowed for joining of these sections together flawlessly, as we move solidly through the development stages of this aircraft. This is made possible by the perfect integration of Embraer and its partners."

FMI: www.embraer.com