Europe and US certificate Praetor 500

The European (EASA) and US (FAA) aviation authorities have certificated the Embraer Praetor 500, meaning that the firm can now begin delivering aircraft to customers in those regions.

The latest certifications come almost a month since Brazil’s authorities (ANAC) passed down its own certifications, although no aircraft have been delivered to Brazilian customers since then.

“The triple-certification by ANAC, EASA and FAA reaffirm the most disruptive and technologically advanced design of the Praetor 500 as the best midsize jet ever made,” said Michael Amalfitano, president & CEO, Embraer Executive Jets. “Praetor 500 owners will now enjoy the ultimate customer experience in the midsize class, with the highest level of performance, technology and comfort.”

The Praetor 500 was launched at the National Business Aviation Administration’s Business Aviation Convention & Exhibition (NBAA-BACE) in October 2018, alongside its larger stablemate the Praetor 600.

The two aircraft build on Embraer’s Legacy 450 and Legacy 500 by upping the range of each aircraft through the addition of larger fuel tanks and winglets along with uprated engines.

Embraer introduced the new aircraft during the 2018 NBAA-BACE exhibition, with the Praetor 600 sporting a new interior that is available for the Praetor 500 as well.

Called the Bossa Nova, Embraer say that the new interior is inspired by the beauty of Brazil’s beaches, with the dark stitching said to represent the stone paths on Rio’s Ipanema Beach.

The end of a Legacy?

During the launch, Embraer said that that the new aircraft should not be seen as replacements for the older models, saying that the Legacy 450 and Legacy 500 will still remain as options for customers who do not require the increased capabilities of the Praetor 500 and Praetor 600.

It is, however, more than likely, that the market will decide the fate of the Legacy 450 and Legacy 500.

The first Legacy 450 was delivered in the fourth quarter of 2015. Since then, Embraer has delivered a total of 43 Legacy 450s. The Legacy 450 had its best years for deliveries in 2017 and 2018, with 14 deliveries in each year. According to the General Aviation Manufacturers Association (GAMA), Embraer has delivered just a single Legacy 450 so far in 2019.

The larger Legacy 500 reached a peak of 21 deliveries in 2016.