EMBRAER LEGACY 600 650

The Legacy 600 (market designation adopted after 2005) is based on the ERJ-135 model. It was launched in 2000 as the “Legacy 2000”. The Legacy carries 13 passengers in three partitioned sections for 3,050 nautical miles (5,650 km) or 8 passengers for 3,450 nautical miles (6,390 km). It features added range via extra fuel tanks in the tail behind the baggage compartment and forward of the wing, winglets, and an extensive drag reduction program. It is certified to 41,000 feet (12,000 m) altitude versus 37,000 feet (11,000 m) for the airline configuration. The Legacy Shuttle can seat 19 to 37 in airline-style seats but without the range.

The first flight was made in June 2000, with the prototype of the ERJ-135 (PT-ZJA). This same aircraft was once the prototype of the first ERJ-145. New winglets and new wing-to-fuselage fairing was added, but no additional fuel tanks were available.

It was the second Embraer model to feature winglets, as the first were installed on the EMB-145SA military model.

The Legacy 600 competes on the upper end of the small to mid-sized range of business jets and is considered a “Super Midsize” aircraft. It has nearly the opposite design progression as the rival Canadair Challenger.

The Legacy 600 was derived from the established ERJ family of regional jets, while the Canadair Regional Jet was developed by Bombardier from the Challenger business jet. Both lines of aircraft are competitors. Embraer has since launched an extensive lineup of business aircraft, from the entry-level Phenom 100 to the Lineage 1000, a bizliner version of the company’s 100-seat E190.

Announced at the 2009 NBAA show, the Legacy 650 is a longer-range version of the Legacy 600, giving it a range capability of 7,220 km (3,900 nmi) non-stop with four passengers, or carry 1,134 kg more than the 600 for a 6,290 km trip.  It features also a lowered alley, with increased headroom and it was certified by the FAA in February 2011.

Aircraft of similar role, configuration and era are: Gulfstream G280, Bombardier Challenger 350, Dassault Falcon 2000, Bombardier Challenger 650.