Manufacturer details refinements as it bids to increase share of super mid-size market
Embraer has released details of further modifications to its Legacy business jet variant of the ERJ-135 as it ramps up its sales efforts in the super mid-size category. The manufacturer has also launched an effort to slash the aircraft's maintenance downtime to reverse negative customer perception.
The Brazilian manufacturer detailed airframe refinements during the second Latin American Business Aviation Conference and Exhibition (LABACE) in São Paulo last week. Embraer vice-president for corporate aviation Antonio Pires Monteiro says the combined airframe and maintenance changes will enable the manufacturer to raise its share of the super mid-size segment from around 13% today to more than one-fifth of the 400 aircraft sales globally forecast over the next 10 years.
The 14-seat Legacy Executive incorporates modifications that include the addition of winglets and fuselage reinforcements, extra fuel tanks and enhanced fuel system and higher-thrust turbofan engines. These changes will now be incorporated into the standard version.
The basic Legacy's maximum take-off weight is also set to be increased from just under 22,000kg (48,500lb) to 22,500kg, which will allow for a 2% fuel capacity increase. Moreover, by employing redesigned and lighter parts in selected airframe areas, Embraer says it has secured a "significant" net payload gain. Removal of the aircraft's windshield wipers and installation of a new windshield design, redesigned wing/fuselage junction and main landing gear wheel hub caps were some of the recently introduced aerodynamic refinements designed to improve the Legacy's performance.
The Legacy's AE3007-A1P engine has been discarded in favour of the A1E variant, which offers a 7% thrust increase. These enhancements have combined to increase the aircraft's range to 6,010km (3,250nm) range with eight passengers flying at Mach 0.74. The Legacy has also recently received Brazilian and US certification to widen its landing and take-off envelope from high altitude airports located at up to 8,500ft (2,590m) above sea level.
"We are continuously analysing ways to enhance the Legacy's performance," says Monteiro. In addition to these performance improvements, Monteiro says Embraer is now setting its sights at revamping the Legacy's maintenance programme to reduce downtime periods, improve despatch reliability rates and lessen maintenance labour costs by around 18%.
JACKSON FLORES / SÃO PAULO
Source: Flight International
