Legacy 500

The Embraer Legacy 500/450 (EMB-550/EMB-545) are mid-size business jets launched by Embraer in April 2008, the first of their size with a flat-floor stand-up cabin and fly-by-wire. The longer 500, which typically carries 4 passengers over 3,125 nmi (5,790 km) with room for up to 12, first flew on November 27, 2012, and was certified on August 12, 2014. The shorter 450 first flew on December 28, 2013, was certified on August 11, 2015, carries 4 passengers over 2,900 nmi (5,370 km) and can accommodate up to 9.

Embraer's timeline was delayed because software development for the fly-by-wire flight control system was running behind schedule.

Supported by 800 engineers, the first Legacy 500 prototype (PT-ZEX) was rolled out on 23 December 2011 to begin ground testing and systems evaluation, prior to the aircraft’s first flight scheduled for the third quarter of 2012. The first engine run was completed on January 17, 2012.

The aircraft's first flight occurred on 27 November 2012 with certification and initial deliveries expected in early 2014.[18] After 1,800 hours of flight tests and 20,000 hours of laboratory tests, its type certificate was received from National Civil Aviation Agency of Brazil (ANAC) on August 12, 2014, exceeding design goals. First delivery occurred to a Brazilian company on October 11, 2014. It received its Federal Aviation Authority (FAA) certification on October 21, 2014.

Delivery of the 50th Legacy 500 is expected in the third quarter of 2016.

The Legacy 500 can be configured to carry up to 12 passengers, and can carry eight passengers over 2,948 nautical miles (5,460 km), or four passengers over 3,125 nautical miles (5,788 km).

The aircraft fly-by-wire control enhances safety and confort. It competes with midsize jets like the $17.9 million Cessna Citation Sovereign+ and $23.4 million Cessna Citation X, but also with super-midsize $24 million Gulfstream G280 and $26 million Bombardier Challenger 350 and can be compared with the halted $21 million Learjet 85 program.