EMBRAER Legacy 650

Embraer has revealed that it has successfully flown the first Legacy 650 large-cabin business jet, an upgraded version of its super-midsize Legacy 600. The launch brings to seven the total number of executive jets in the Brazilian airframer's portfolio.
"One thing our Legacy customers kept telling us is that the aircraft should have more range," says Claudio Camelier, Embraer's vice-president of market intelligence for executive jets. "The 650 is a response to that demand."
Embraer began delivering the Legacy 600, a derivative of the ERJ-135 regional jet, in 2002 and has produced more than 170 to date. Embraer considers the Legacy 600 to be a super-midsize category aircraft and the new 650 a large-cabin offering.
The company has two 650s flying in Brazil, one prototype and one pre-series version that flew within days of each other for the first time in late September, says Camelier. The flight test programme is scheduled for completion by mid-2010, with certification and service entry expected in the second half of 2010. The company launched the programme internally in first half of 2008, says Camelier.

To boost range, Embraer installed a new underbelly ventral fuel tank and created more fuel storage in the central wing box, increasing total fuel load by 1,160kg (2,558lb) to 9,402kg. The fuel system has been redesigned with electrically actuated valves from hydraulically actuated valves on the 600.
Combined with airframe modifications and new Rolls-Royce AE3007-A2 turbofan engines, upgrades of the Legacy 600's AE3007-A1E engines, the Legacy 600 will deliver 7,220km (3,900nm) range, an increase of 925km, based on four 91kg (200lb) passengers NBAA IFR reserves (370km alternate airport and 35min of holding at 5,000ft/1,525m). The capability will for the first time allow non-stop legs such as São Paulo to Miami, London to New York and Moscow to Shanghai, says Embraer. Trading range for payload, the 650 can carry an additional 1,134kg compared with the 600 for a 6,290km trip.

On the ramp, the $29.5 million Legacy 650 (2010 dollars) will be largely indistinguishable from its $27.45 million sister aircraft.
Visible changes include a slightly lower aircraft height of 6.64m for the 650 versus 6.67m for the 600, a change related to its increased maximum ramp weight of 22,570kg, up 1,800kg from the Legacy 600.
Also apparent are modifications to the aft section of the wing-fuselage fairing and a reduction of two blades on each engine fan, down from 24 blades on each AE3007-A1E. The redesigned fan blade produces 9,020lb (40kN) maximum take-off thrust, up 10% from the A1E, resulting in the same take-off performance as the 600 at maximum take-off weight or better rate-of-climb performance at lower weights.

In the cabin, changes include a new noise reduction package and Swift broadband high-speed internet.
Not visible is a stronger new wing that comes directly from the ERJ-145XR regional airliner that allows for an increased maximum flap (45e_SDgr) extension speed to 160kt (295km/h) from 145kt.
A new Herculite II glass windshield, compared with the polycarbonate polymer transparencies for the 600, boosts the maximum operating speed below 8,000ft from 250kt to 300kt. The new windshield also has better light transmittance, less visual distortion and higher mean time before failure, says Embraer.
Both the 650 and the 600 will qualify for a new optional high-altitude take-off and landing package that allows the aircraft to operate at airports as high as 13,800ft, compared with 10,000ft previously.
Helping the aircraft's efficiency will be a new Honeywell integrated avionics suite in the cockpit, replacing the legacy Primus 1000 suite in both the new and the old models. Called Primus Elite, the new flightdeck will inhabit the same real estate in the panel, but displays will be LCD-based rather than the cathode ray variety of the original Primus 1000 avionics suite.

Along with coupled vertical navigation, the Elite will offer RNP 0.3 and electronic charts and maps via two CMC class 2 electronic flight bags mounted on the side panels. Optional features include controller-pilot datalink, WAAS/LPV approach capabilities, XM weather for US operators and Honeywell's landing and runway safety advisory systems (SmartRunway and SmartLanding).
Not included in the avionics package at the start is Honeywell's [Vous devez être inscrit et connecté pour voir ce lien], although Camelier says the capability is in the future roadmap for both aircraft. He says there are no plans at the moment to incorporate an enhanced vision system or head-up display in either aircraft as the there is not enough demand for the options.

Other manufacturers, including Gulfstream, Bombardier and Dassault, have enhanced vision and HUD systems in their large-cabin aircraft and are progressively bringing the technologies down to smaller aircraft. Operators with the appropriate equipment and training can use the combination to decrease decision heights on instrument approaches down to as low as 100ft.
“While the Elite avionics will be offered a la carte to Legacy 600 owners starting in the first half of 2011, other upgrades, including the engines and ventral fuel tank will not be retrofittable back to the 600. Camelier says Embraer plans to continue producing both aircraft on the same line at its facility in Sao Jose dos Compos and performing completions in Brazil as well.”
"I believe it's an airplane that has a lot of interesting characteristics with the customers," says Camelier. "The additional ranges gives much more flexibility, and the 600 is benefiting from some of the improvements."

Embraer announced this morning that its Legacy 650 business has clinched Brazilian and European certification a year after the Rolls-Royce AE 3007A2-powered large cabin, longer-legged derivative of the Legacy 600 was launched.
Deliveries are scheduled to begin this year. Luís Carlos Affonso, Embraer executive vice president of executive jets, said: "The Legacy 650 met all of the original specification targets, particularly the 7,215km (3,900nm) maximum range, which allows the aircraft to connect important city pairs and open new markets for Embraer."

Souhaitons une belle réussite pour l'avion et tous concernés, surtout après les moments durs que vient de vivre ce secteur de l'aviation civile !

The recently certified aircraft will be operated by Titan Airways Executive, based in the U.K.

São José dos Campos, November 22, 2010 – Embraer delivered the first large category Legacy 650 executive jet, last Friday, to Amsair Aircraft Limited, owned by Lord Alan Sugar.

The recently certified aircraft, to be based at London Stansted Airport (STN), U.K., will be operated by Titan Airways Executive, a VIP charter company, and will receive support and maintenance services from Inflite, an Embraer authorized service center in the U.K.

“This is a very exciting time for Embraer to deliver the first Legacy 650 executive jet to Amsair Aircraft Limited,” said Colin Steven, Embraer Vice President, Marketing and Sales, Europe, Africa and the Middle East – Executive Jets. “Titan Airways customers will appreciate the unparalleled combination of performance and comfort of the aircraft with its 3,900–nauticalmile range and three distinct cabin zones, unique in this category of executive jets.”

Launched one year ago at NBAA 2009, the Legacy 650 can fly up to 3,900 nautical miles (7,223 kilometers), nonstop, with four passengers, or 3,840 nautical miles (7,112 kilometers) with eight passengers.

The new jet has a roomy cabin and a spacious galley, as well as the largest inflight accessible baggage compartment of its category.

“I’m extremely pleased to receive the brand-new Legacy 650 executive jet,” said Lord Alan Sugar, owner of Amsair Aircraft Limited.

“I have owned and operated a Legacy 600 for the last four years, and I’ve been looking forward to this exciting new development from Embraer.
The aircraft offers greater range than the current Legacy 600, but with the same elegance, comfort and functional interior. After evaluating several aircraft, it was the only one on the market that met all of my expectations. I’m sure that this state-of-the-art aircraft is going to be a star in Titan Airways Executive’s fleet for corporate and leisure groups alike.”

“We are extremely excited about taking delivery of the first Legacy 650, worldwide,” said Alastair Kiernan, Titan Airways Executive Commercial Director. “Coinciding with the launch of our new brand, Titan Airways Executive, this fabulous aircraft will enable us to offer transatlantic nonstop services to our customers with a very high level of comfort.”

[Vous devez être inscrit et connecté pour voir ce lien] has narrowed a long-term vision first revealed seven months ago to focus on filling a single gap in its [Vous devez être inscrit et connecté pour voir ce lien] product line-up.

The Brazilian manufacturer now lists the "ultra-long-range" segment as the single gap within its relentlessly expanding product portfolio, said Ernest Edwards, vice-president of Embraer executive aircraft.
By invoking the long-range jet category, Edwards described perhaps the fastest-growing segment of the business aviation market, with the [Vous devez être inscrit et connecté pour voir ce lien], Dassault Falcon 7X and [Vous devez être inscrit et connecté pour voir ce lien] G650 and G550 already entrenched as potential competitors.

But Embraer seems in no rush to reveal the timing or the product it has in mind.
"Today is probably not the time to launch a new aircraft in that category," Edwards said.

Edwards spoke roughly seven months after Frederico Curado, Embraer chief executive, told Flightglobal at the National Business Aviation Association convention that there were two gaps in the company's business aircraft portfolio.
In addition to the ultra-long-range segment, Curado also listed the "very-large-cabin" slice of the market at the [Vous devez être inscrit et connecté pour voir ce lien] show. That appears to be a reference to the category now dominated by the likes of the Challenger 850, Falcon 900 LX and G450 and G500. However, Edwards clarified yesterday that only the ultra-long-range segment remains in the company's long-range vision for the business aircraft sector.

In the past five years, Embraer has rapidly grown into a business aviation force, with the Phenom 100 and 300 series already dominating the entry-level and light business jet markets. Meanwhile, the company is close to introducing the clean-sheet Embraer 450 and 500 in the super-light and midsize categories, respectively.
Embraer is currently manufacturing the first and second prototypes during the detailed design and certification phase, with first flight still on tract for the second half of this year, said Claudio Camelier, vice-president of marketing for Embraer executive jets.

Dossier à suivre attentivement !

Embraer and Comlux The Aviation Group announced, today, a contract for the acquisition of three large Legacy 650 executive jets for the Fly Comlux Division, in Kazakhstan. The agreement was revealed at the 11th Annual European Business Aviation Convention & Exhibition, EBACE 2011 ([Vous devez être inscrit et connecté pour voir ce lien] in Geneva, Switzerland, and includes options for another four aircraft. The total value of the deal, at list price, comes to USD 90.7 million, and could reach USD 211.7 million, if all options are confirmed. The first delivery is scheduled for the fourth quarter of 2011.

“This new partnership is a gratifying achievement for Embraer, and we are very honored to have been selected by Comlux, a company recognized worldwide for its excellence and the quality of its services to business aviation customers,” said Colin Steven, Vice President, Marketing and Sales, Europe, the Middle East, and Africa – Embraer Executive Jets. “This is also a strong endorsement of our new long-range, large cabin Legacy 650 executive jet, which offers a maximum range of 3,900 nautical miles (7,223 kilometers) with its three cabin zones and the largest baggage compartment in its class.”

The aircraft will be available for charter, offering Comlux passengers a new product for their travel needs. The Legacy 650 is a derivative of the successful Legacy 600 super midsize, nearly 200 of which have been delivered to customers, worldwide. It will enable Comlux to fly up to 13 passengers in a comfortable, functional and elegant interior with three distinct cabin zones and a spacious galley, as well as the largest in-flight accessible baggage compartment of its category.

The two companies also agreed to cooperate in opening a service center for the Legacy 650 in Almaty, Kazakhstan, to support the Central Asia market. The Legacy 650 extended-range aircraft is one of the largest executive jets able to operate in restricted airports such as London City (U.K.) or Cannes-Mandelieu (France). The new Honeywell Primus Elite avionics suite provides enhanced functions to reduce crew workload and optimize the aircraft’s flight profile. Also equipped with the FANS/CPDLC (Future Air Navigation System – Controller Pilot Datalink Communication) function, the Legacy 650 flight deck conforms to the latest technologies for improved situational awareness, while ensuring outstanding operational flexibility in congested airspace, terrain-challenged airports and adverse weather conditions.

“The development of our fleet is always a strategic decision, and for each and every new aircraft joining the fleet, market demand and customer satisfaction are our main objectives,” said Richard Gaona, President of Comlux The Aviation Group. “With the arrival of the Legacy 650, we will better serve our customers in the large executive jets segment with an aircraft which combines luxury, comfort, innovation and operating efficiency.”

[Vous devez être inscrit et connecté pour voir ce lien]'s executive jets division is sticking to its aim of delivering 100 light jets and 18 large jets this year, despite its [Vous devez être inscrit et connecté pour voir ce lien] and [Vous devez être inscrit et connecté pour voir ce lien].

However, the Brazilian airframer has ruled out launching a new corporate aircraft in the foreseeable future.

In the first six months of 2011, Embraer [Vous devez être inscrit et connecté pour voir ce lien] 26 aircraft from its light-jet range, made up of the Phenom 100 and 300. This represented a drop of 30 from the corresponding figure for [Vous devez être inscrit et connecté pour voir ce lien]. Meanwhile, deliveries of the large executive jets - the Legacy 600 and 650 and Lineage 1000 - rose from three to five.

Embraer Executive Jets president Ernest Edwards has restated a delivery forecast of 74 Phenoms and 13 of the large jets in this year's second half - partly on the basis that US corporate profits have risen above the peak seen in 2007.

"I don't think anybody feels ashamed of using a corporate airplane for their business today. Certainly, they shouldn't feel ashamed, with the kind of results they're bringing in," said Edwards, who has headed the division since May and is based in Fort Lauderdale, Florida.

Commenting on the stock-market tumbles of late August, Edwards said: "When you look at all the fundamentals in the US economy, there is no reason for what happened."

He added: "There's just a little nervousness there about whether this is just a blip or a double dip. All the combined analysis says there's no reason for this, other than that there's been some scaremongering going on."

Edwards dismissed any likelihood of an imminent move to fill the gap between Embraer's large, $30 million [Vous devez être inscrit et connecté pour voir ce lien] and ultra-large, $50 million [Vous devez être inscrit et connecté pour voir ce lien] with a new ultra-long-range type. "As a sales team, my team would love to fill the hole that is there, but engineering are saying, 'Guys, give us a break'," he said. "The engineers are just about maxed out, so they need a break from corporate jets for a while."

Embraer says first flight of its mid-sized, clean-sheet, fly-by-wire [Vous devez être inscrit et connecté pour voir ce lien] is on course to take place by year-end.

Mating of the second prototype's fuselage sections was achieved in late August, the same task having been executed on the first prototype [Vous devez être inscrit et connecté pour voir ce lien].

The manufacturer, which also has the mid-light [Vous devez être inscrit et connecté pour voir ce lien] in development, has disclosed that it will offer a "green" version of its Lineage 1000 - without interior furnishings - at a price still to be defined, and that it is working to gain approval for the same type to operate at the UK's London City airport, which requires steep-approach capability.

Over the next 10 years, Embraer foresees a total market for 11,275 new business jets worth a combined $260 billion.

Embraer (booth N5132) has clinched a firm order from executive aviation leasing company China's Minsheng Financial Leasing for 13 Legacy 650 business jets. The deal comes three months after the two companies signed a memorandum of understanding for 20 aircraft across the Embraer portfolio. Deliveries of the large-cabin Legacy 650s are set to begin at the end of the year and will continue until 2016. Speaking at the show this morning, Ernest Edwards, president of Embraer Executive Jets, said: "This order marks a significant advancement, not only in terms of partnership between the two parties, but also in terms of Embraer's business development in China."


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Copyright: Flightglobal

The Legacy 650 - which entered service a year ago - has a range of 3,900nm (7,220km) and can fly four passengers nonstop from Beijing to Dubai or from Hong Kong to Adelaide.

• motorisation : 2 × [Vous devez être inscrit et connecté pour voir ce lien]/A1P [Vous devez être inscrit et connecté pour voir ce lien], 39,2 kN (8,810 lbs) each.