The third Legacy 500 has joined Embraer's flight test programme aimed at delivering the midsize business jet in 2014.
The aircraft, serial number 003, completed its maiden flight at Embraer's factory in Sao Jose dos Campos Brazil.
The third aircraft will be used to test avionics, noise, electrical systems and the interior. The latter was also the subject of ground testing using a mock-up, Embraer says.
So far, the first two Legacy 500 prototypes have logged 122h on 66 flights, 78h on 43 flights since the second prototype completed first flight on 15 February.
The Legacy 500 is the smallest business jet to incorporate fly-by-wire flight controls, an innovation that Embraer likens to the disruptive impact of Global Positioning System-aided navigation.
It will compete in the same market segment that is occupied today by the Cessna Citation Sovereign, Gulfstream G150 and Hawker 900XP.
The Legacy 500 is scheduled to be followed into service a year later b the super-light category Legacy 450.
Source: Flight International
