Embraer’s new Praetor 500 and 600

All images by Embraer

EMBRAER ANNOUNCED two new business aircraft at the US National Business Aviation’s Business Aviation Convention & Exhibition (NBAA-BACE) in Orlando, Florida, on October 14, 2018.

The Praetor 500 and 600 are mid-size and super-mid-size business jets respectively and based on Embraer’s popular Legacy 450 and 500 aircraft. Named after an elected magistrate of Roman times, examples of both of the new aircraft were on static display during the show.

According to Embraer, the larger Praetor 600 with four passengers and NBAA IFR reserves, will have an intercontinental range of 3,900 nautical miles (7,223km) and be capable of flying from London to New York non-stop.

It says the Praetor 500 will have a range of 3,250 nautical miles (6,019km) and be capable of flying from the west coast of the United States to Europe with one technical stop.

Michael Amalitano, President and CEO of Embraer Executive Jets, said: “The Praetor 500 and Praetor 600 are aircraft certainly in keeping with their name, leading the way in redefining the characteristics of what a mid-size and super-mid-size aircraft deliver to the market.

The introduction of these aircraft supports our vision of fascinating our customers and providing them with superior value and best experience in the industry.”

The two new aircraft will feature the Rockwell Collins ProLine Fusion light deck with vertical weather display, air traffic controllike situational awareness and ADSB-IN and predictive wind shear capability. Options include Embraer’s Enhanced Vision System with head-up display and enhanced video system, inertial reference system and synthetic vision guidance system.

Two Praetor 600 prototypes and one production representative aircraft are currently undergoing light tests and one Praetor 500 in production configuration is undergoing a design maturity campaign. Embraer expects the Praetor 600 will be certified in time for entry into service in the second quarter of 2019, followed by the Praetor 500 in the third quarter of the year.

The company has also announced a series of product enhancements across its range of business jets.

Its Legacy 650 will be equipped with state-of-the-art auto throttle and synthetic vision systems, including upgrade of the existing Honeywell-based Primus Elite light deck, central maintenance computer and software. The enhancements are expected to be available in the second quarter of 2019.

The company’s Phenom 300 and 300E will gain Gogo Avance L5 4G internet connectivity, following the granting of a supplemental type certificate, which Embraer says will provide “seamless coverage” in the United States and parts of Canada and Alaska.

In addition, the Phenom 300E now also has the option of a ground power mode for the aircraft’s Pratt & Whitney Canada PW535E engines, which can supply electrical power and conditioned air when ground support equipment is not available.

Finally, the Phenom 300 and Legacy 450 and 500 have been awarded speed records by the National Aeronautic Association in the period. A Phenom 300 covered a distance of 964 nautical miles (1,785km) in two hours and 39 minutes, while the mid-size Legacy 450 flew 2,752 nautical miles (5,097km) in six hours and five minutes. The Legacy 500 flew four test lights during the first quarter of 2018, of which the third light covered 1,423 nautical miles (2,635km) in three hours and 16 minutes at a highest average speed of 503.75mph (811km/h). Nigel Pittaway