Embraer Legacy 600

Embraer Legacy 600
Name	Legacy 600
Caption	An Embraer Legacy 600 in flight
Manufacturer	Embraer
First flight	31 March 2001
Introduction	2002
Status	In service
Produced	2002–2020
Number built	250+
Developed from	Embraer ERJ 145
Variants	Embraer Legacy 500, Embraer Legacy 650

Embraer Legacy 600 is a large business jet developed and manufactured by the Brazilian aerospace conglomerate Embraer. Based on the Embraer ERJ 145 regional jet airliner, it entered service in 2002 following its first flight in 2001. The aircraft is renowned for its long range, spacious cabin, and operational efficiency, serving corporate, private, and government clients globally.

Development and design

The program was launched in 2000 as a derivative of the successful Embraer ERJ 145 family, leveraging its proven airframe and systems for the business aviation market. Key modifications were overseen by engineers at Embraer's facility in São José dos Campos, with design work focusing on creating a new, wider cabin and incorporating advanced avionics. The aircraft features a Rockwell Collins Pro Line 4 integrated flight deck, similar to systems used on the Bombardier Challenger 600 series, and is powered by two Rolls-Royce AE 3007A1P turbofan engines. The cabin, designed in collaboration with specialists from BMW Group DesignworksUSA, typically accommodates up to 13 passengers in a configuration that includes a forward galley, an aft lavatory, and multiple living areas, offering a range of over 3,250 nautical miles.

Operational history

Since its certification by aviation authorities like the National Civil Aviation Agency of Brazil (ANAC) and the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) in 2002, the Legacy 600 has been deployed worldwide by a diverse operator base. Prominent early customers included NetJets and Executive Jet Management, integrating the type into their fractional ownership fleets. The aircraft has been particularly popular for transcontinental routes, connecting cities such as New York and London, and is frequently used for government transport, including by agencies in Africa and the Middle East. Its reliability and performance in varied climates, from the Alps to the Saudi Arabian desert, have solidified its reputation in the sector, competing directly with models like the Cessna Citation X and the Dassault Falcon 2000.

Specifications (Legacy 600)

* **Crew:** 2 pilots + 1 flight attendant (typical) * **Capacity:** 13 passengers (standard) * **Length:** 26.33 m (86 ft 5 in) * **Wingspan:** 21.17 m (69 ft 5 in) * **Height:** 6.76 m (22 ft 2 in) * **Empty weight:** 13,500 kg (29,762 lb) * **Max takeoff weight:** 22,500 kg (49,604 lb) * **Powerplant:** 2 × Rolls-Royce AE 3007A1P turbofan engines, 41.3 kN (9,300 lbf) thrust each * **Maximum speed:** Mach 0.80 (860 km/h, 535 mph) * **Range:** 6,019 km (3,250 nmi) with 8 passengers * **Service ceiling:** 12,497 m (41,000 ft) * **Avionics:** Rockwell Collins Pro Line 4

Variants

The primary development of the original model led to the introduction of the Embraer Legacy 650 in 2009, which featured increased range, a higher maximum takeoff weight, and an optional Honeywell HTF7000 engine upgrade. Another significant variant is the Embraer Legacy 500, launched in 2012, which departed from the Embraer ERJ 145 platform by utilizing a new, clean-sheet design with a composite fuselage and the Rockwell Collins Pro Line Fusion avionics suite. These models expanded Embraer's presence in the market against competitors like the Gulfstream G280 and the Bombardier Challenger 300.

Operators

The aircraft is operated by corporate flight departments, private individuals, charter companies, and government agencies across six continents. Notable historical and current operators include the fractional ownership giant NetJets, charter providers like Air Hamburg and Jet Aviation, and state operators such as the Government of Angola and the Royal Thai Air Force. In North America, major management companies such as Flexjet and Flight Options have extensively utilized the type, while in Europe, operators include Luxaviation and Privajet. The Brazilian Air Force also employs the aircraft for VIP transport duties.

Incidents and accidents

The most significant accident occurred on 29 September 2006, when a Legacy 600 (registration PR-AKE) operated by ExcelAire collided in mid-air with Gol Transportes Aéreos Flight 1907, a Boeing 737-800, over the Amazon rainforest near Peixoto de Azevedo, Mato Grosso. The Legacy, piloted by Joseph Lepore and Jan Paladino, sustained damage but landed safely at Cachimbo Airport, while the Gol Transportes Aéreos aircraft crashed, resulting in 154 fatalities. Investigations by the National Civil Aviation Agency of Brazil and the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) led to changes in air traffic control procedures in Brazil. Other incidents have included runway excursions, such as one at London Luton Airport in 2013 involving a Privajet aircraft, and a landing gear collapse incident at Moscow Vnukovo Airport in 2014.

Category:Embraer aircraft Category:Brazilian business jets Category:Twinjets