Third Embraer Legacy 500 Joins Flight-test Fleet

The third Embraer Legacy 500 joined the flight-test fleet on Friday, after making its initial flight from the company’s São José dos Campos, Brazil facility. “With the first two prototypes already well into the flight-test program, the first flight of the third Legacy 500 is a major milestone for the program,” said Embraer Executive Jets president Ernest Edwards. “The four-aircraft test program is designed to ensure all systems and features on the Legacy 500 reach maturity before entering service. The first and second prototypes have already logged 122 hours on 66 flights, with testing proceeding as anticipated.”

Legacy 500 S/N 003 will be used to test avionics, noise and electrical systems, as well as the interior. Embraer predicts that this cabin interior testing will help ensure a smoother entry into service, allowing it to catch and address any problems before starting delivery of the midsize twinjets early next year.

To that end, Embraer Executive Jets produced an interior rig using an actual metal fuselage equipped with the complete interior. “The goal is to gain maturity in terms of assembly and to take managers and engineers on virtual flights of between two and six hours to test comfort, reliability and durability,” the company said. “The interiors rig underwent rigorous testing of the seats, the galley and the lavatory.”