Embraer has flown the first Legacy 500 jet assembled in Melbourne, Florida, completing the company’s efforts to set up final assembly operations outside of Brazil.
The Legacy 500’s first flight from Melbourne comes only after the smaller Legacy 450 made a debut flight from the same facility.
Embraer also continues to assemble and deliver Legacy 450 and 500 jets in Sao Jose dos Campos, Brazil.
“This flight marks a key milestone for our Melbourne operations, where we expanded our production facility and doubled our footprint,” says Michael Amalfitano, president and chief executive of Embraer Executive Jets.
Embraer also assembles Phenom 100 and 300 entry-level and light jets from the Melbourne factory.
The plant was opened in 2011 as part of Embraer’s strategy to raise its profile and presence in North America, the world’s largest market for light and mid-sized jets. It compliments Embraer’s commercial base in Fort Lauderdale and defence plant in Jacksonville.
The first Legacy 500 to fly from Melbourne is expected to be delivered in the third quarter.
Source: FlightGlobal.com
