NBAA - Embraer launches upgrade to Legacy series

The company has two 650s flying in Brazil, says Claudio Camelier, Embraer’s vice-president of market intelligence for executive jets. The flight-test program is scheduled for completion by mid-2010, with certification and service entry expected in the second half of 2010.

To boost range, Embraer installed a new underbelly ventral fuel tank and created more fuel storage in the central wing box, increasing fuel load by 2,558lb (1,160kg) to 20,700lb

“Our Legacy customers kept telling us that the aircraft should have more range,” Camelier  said. “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.

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 3,900nm (7,220km) range, an increase of 500nm, based on four 200lb passengers and NBAA IFR reserves (200nm alternate airport and 35min of holding at 5,000ft/1,525m). Trading range for payload, the 650 can carry an additional 2,500lb compared with the 600 for a 3,400nm trip.

On the ramp, the $29.5 million Legacy 650 will be largely indistinguishable from its $27.5 million sister aircraft. Visible changes include a slightly lower aircraft height of 21.7ft (6.64m) for the 650, a change related to its increased maximum ramp weight of 49,700lb, up 3,965lb 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.

Not visible is a stronger new wing that comes directly from the ERJ-145XR regional airliner that allows for an increased maximum flap (45°) 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.

Helping efficiency will be a new Honeywell integrated avionics suite, replacing the legacy Primus 1000 suite.

Called Primus Elite, the new flightdeck will inhabit the same space, but displays will be LCD-based rather than the cathode ray variety of the original.

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.

Not included in the avionics but planned for the future is Honeywell’s SmartView synthetic vision system.