Embraer is moving ahead with development of the two newest members of its business jet family, the Legacy 450 and 500, as it moves towards first flight of the latter type in the third quarter of 2012.
Recent milestones passed by the midsize Legacy 500 include taxi runs, where the aircraft was taken to a speed of 80kt (148km/h), and the beginning of ground vibration tests in March.
Its second and third prototypes have also begun production, with wing-to-body join and power-on completed on prototype 2 and wing-to-body join completed on prototype 3.
Meanwhile, the mid-light Legacy 450 has entered its joint definition phase.
"We have achieved key milestones that make us confident we will perform the Legacy 500 first flight in the third quarter of this year, as planned," says Marco Tulio Pellegrini, vice-president operations and chief operating officer at Embraer Executive Jets. "The tests demonstrate the aircraft is very mature regarding systems design and integration.
"As the Legacy 500 starts its test campaign, development of the Legacy 450 project grows with the joint definition phase well under way."
Its iron bird flight controls test rig has also logged 1,700h of testing.
The Legacy 500 was rolled out on 23 December, 2011, with first engine run following on 17 January.
Source: Flight Daily News
