Embraer to create a business jet Legacy

Modifying its ERJ 135 regional jet model, the company makes its way into the corporate aircraft market.

Representing Embraer's entry into the business jet market, the Legacy program was launched at the Farnborough Air Show in July 2000. The aircraft is based on the company's ERJ 135 platform with an Executive version configured for up to 15 seats and a Shuttle version with up to 19 seats. According to Embraer, the world market for business aviation over the next 10 years is estimated at 6000 aircraft, of which 2500 will be of the super mid-size business jet type. The company is planning to produce 240 Legacies during this time span. The Legacy is currently in the final certification phase. It has a range of 3200 nmi at Mach 0.8.

The company has recently revealed that a new E-model variant of the Rolls-Royce AE 3007 turbofan engine will be made available as an option to Legacy customers who desire higher thrust and improved short field capabilities. Rolls-Royce developed the engine for both the Legacy and Embraer's ERJ 145 XR. With it, the Legacy's targeted balanced field length will be below 6000 ft, opening up a significant number of additional airports from which customers can operate.