Embraer is a well-known aircraft manufacturer based in São Paulo, Brazil. The company is widely recognized for its commercial aviation production, for which the manufacturer produces the Embraer ERJ and E-jet families. These aircraft are widely used across the world for short-haul and regional flights. The aircraft manufacturer also has a unique utility division where the aircraft produces small crop-dusting aircraft. Embraer also has a significant presence in the defense industry, as the company produces transport vehicles, trainer aircraft, and other aircraft variants utilized by Brazil and other countries across the world.
However, Embraer is well-known for its role in the private aviation industry. The company joined the market in 2000 by announcing the Legacy 600 at the 2000 Farnborough Airshow. So, let’s take a closer look at some of the most popular Embraer business jets that have been produced, as well as some notable features of these unique aircraft.
6 Embraer Lineage 1000
Aircraft produced: 28
Capacity |
19 maximum passengers |
---|---|
Length |
118 feet eleven inches |
Wingspan |
94 feet three inches |
Height |
34 feet eight inches |
Maximum takeoff weight |
120,152 pounds |
Takeoff distance |
6,076 feet |
Landing distance |
2,450 feet |
Embraer unveiled the Lineage 1000 in 2006 as one of the world’s first ultra-large business jets. The aircraft was designed from one of the company’s most successful regional jets, the Embraer 190. The Lineage 1000 added fuel tanks in the lower cargo hold, which doubled the jet’s range to 4,600 nautical miles (5,300 miles). Embraer also added a luxurious interior that includes up to five sections.
Photo: Robert Buchel | Shutterstock
The 2013 version of the jet, the Lineage 1000E, offered upgraded in-flight entertainment and cockpit options, including the Honeywell Primus Epic avionics system. The aircraft has a larger cabin than similar-priced jets like the Bombardier Global 5000 and the Dassault Falcon 7X. It, however, is smaller than typical airliner conversion, like Boeing Business Jets.
The Lineage 1000 can reach a maximum speed of Mach 0.82 (629 miles per hour) and a typical cruise speed of 543 miles per hour. Embraer only produced 28 Lineage 1000s, and in 2020, it announced that it was ceasing sales of the type.
5 Embraer Legacy 450/ Embraer Praetor 500
Aircraft produced: 100
Capacity |
Nine maximum passengers |
---|---|
Length |
64 feet seven inches |
Wingspan |
63 feet to 70 feet |
Height |
21 feet one inch |
Maximum takeoff weight |
35,769-37,567 pounds |
Takeoff distance |
3,907-4,222 feet |
Landing distance |
2,090-2,086 feet |
Embraer revealed this midsize family of jets in August 2007 at the National Business Aviation Association (NBAA) convention. This aircraft bridged the gap between the manufacturer’s smaller Embraer Phenom 300 and the larger Legacy 600. The Legacy 450 was the first midsize jet produced with a flat floor stand-up cabin and fly-by-wire flight controls.
Photo: Kevin Hackert | Shutterstock
The aircraft was eventually upgraded and was rebranded to the Praetor 500 in 2019. This aircraft added fuel capacity and more powerful engines. Existing Legacy 450s can be upgraded to the Praetor 500 for $500,000. The upgraded Praetor 500 can reach a range of 3,340 nautical miles (3,840 miles) and flies at a ceiling of 45,000 feet. The aircraft can reach a maximum speed of Mach 0.83 (636 miles per hour).
4 Embraer Legacy 500/ Embraer Praetor 600
Aircraft produced: 151
Capacity |
12 maximum passengers |
---|---|
Length |
68 feet, one inch |
Wingspan |
63 feet to 70 feet |
Height |
21 feet two inches |
Maximum takeoff weight |
38,360-42,858 pounds |
Takeoff distance |
4,084-4436 feet |
Landing distance |
2,122-2,270 feet |
Also announced with the Legacy 450 was the Legacy 500. This ultra-midsize jet shares 95% commonality with the Legacy 450 but is slightly larger. This aircraft also utilizes a flat-floor cabin and uses fly-by-wire flight controls. Nearly 70% of all the active Legacy 500s are used in the United States. FlexJet is the type’s largest operator, but a popular military variant is also used in the Brazilian Air Force.
Photo: Embraer
The Legacy 500 was upgraded at a similar time as the Legacy 450 to the Praetor 600. This upgraded ultra-midsize jet can reach 4,018 nautical miles (4,624 miles). The aircraft can also achieve a maximum speed of Mach 0.83 (636 miles per hour).
3 Embraer Legacy 600/ 650
Aircraft produced: 289
Capacity |
12 maximum passengers |
---|---|
Length |
68 feet, one inch |
Wingspan |
63 feet to 70 feet |
Height |
21 feet two inches |
Maximum takeoff weight |
38,360-42,858 pounds |
Takeoff distance |
4,084-4436 feet |
Landing distance |
2,122-2,270 feet |
Embraer created the Legacy 600 from the ERJ family of aircraft, which is considered a large business jet. It was launched in 2000 with its first flight coming as a modified prototype of the ERJ-145. Winglets, a wing-to-fuselage fairing, and fuselage fuel tanks were later added to the prototype.
Photo: InsectWorld | Shutterstock
The Legacy 650 was eventually introduced as a longer-ranged version, extending its capabilities from 3,050 nautical miles (3,510 miles) to 3,900 nautical miles (4,490 miles). The upgraded variant also lowered the floor for more headroom and was introduced in 2011. This aircraft can reach a maximum speed of Mach 0.80 (528 miles per hour) and a cruise speed of Mach 0.78 (515 miles per hour).
2 Embraer Phenom 100
Aircraft produced: 410
Capacity |
Seven maximum passengers |
---|---|
Length |
42 feet, one inch |
Wingspan |
40 feet four inches |
Height |
14 feet three inches |
Maximum takeoff weight |
10,582 pounds |
Takeoff distance |
3,199 feet |
Landing distance |
2,431 feet |
In late 2005, Embraer decided to enter the very light jet market. The prototype Phenom 100 flew for the first time in July 2007 and was certified and introduced in December 2008. The aircraft has a cabin with a height of just under five feet and a total cabin length of just over eleven feet.
Photo: Embraer
The aircraft was eventually upgraded to the Phenom 100E with multifunction spoilers and the Phenom 100EV, which decreased weight and improved thrust ratings. The Phenom 100EV and the Phenom 100EX both utilize the Garmin G3000 flight deck. This aircraft can reach a range of 1,178 nautical miles (1,356 miles) at a service ceiling of 41,000 feet. The type is powered by two Pratt & Whitney PW617 turbofan engines that power the aircraft to a cruise speed of 400 knots (470 miles per hour).
1 Embraer Phenom 300
Aircraft produced: 700
Capacity |
Ten maximum passengers |
---|---|
Length |
51 feet four inches |
Wingspan |
52 feet two inches |
Height |
16 feet nine inches |
Maximum takeoff weight |
18,551 pounds |
Takeoff distance |
3,209 feet |
Landing distance |
2,212 feet |
Embraer eventually found an increasing market for a jet that was larger than the Embraer Phenom 100. The manufacturer initially attempted to stretch the successful Phenom 100 but instead opted for a clean sheet approach that included a longer cabin, a spoiler, and winglets. The new aircraft was called the Phenom 300 and was officially introduced in 2009.
Photo: Austin Deppe | Shutterstock
Embraer upgraded the Phenom 300 to the Phenom 300E in 2018 and provided further updates in 2020. This increased the range to 2,010 nautical miles (2,313 miles) due to the powerful engine additions of PW525E1 engines. This upgrade also increased the maximum speed to Mach 0.80 (614 miles per hour). The Phenom 300 has been the world’s best-selling light jet for twelve consecutive years.