Aircraft - Embraer Legacy 650

TYPE
Corporate Business jet

GENERAL INFORMATION

The ERJ-135 and more recent ERJ-140 are shortened developments of the 50 seat ERJ-145, while the Legacy is a corporate development of the ERJ-135.

Embraer launched the ERJ-135 on September 16 1997. Just nine and a half months passed before first flight on July 4 1998 (following rollout on May 12 that year). A second prototype first flew in October 1998, US FAA certification was awarded on July 16 1999 and first delivery was to Continental Express on July 23 1999.

The speed of the development program illustrates that the ERJ-135 is a fairly straightfoward development of the 145. Both 135 prototypes were converted from ERJ-145 prototypes, requiring little modification other than the removal of two fuselage plugs totalling 3.50m (11ft 6in) in length. Other changes compared with the -145 are minor. Both are powered by Rolls-Royce (Allison) AE-3007 turbofans but the ERJ-135's are derated by around 5%, achieved by a slight software change to the engines' FADEC system. The only other notable change is new valves in the air-conditioning system.

Like the ERJ-145 therefore, the 135 also features a Honeywell Primus 1000 avionics suite with five large multifunction displays in the cockpit, a Sundstrand APU and three abreast seating in the main cabin.

Also in common with the ERJ-145, the 135 is offered in standard ERJ-135ER and extended range ERJ-135LR forms. The LR features an additional fuel tank and slightly more powerful AE-3007A4 turbofans.

Meanwhile at Farborough 2000 Embraer launched development of the ERJ-135 based Legacy corporate jet. First flight (of a converted ERJ-135) was on March 2001. The Legacy features additional fuel giving a range with 10 passengers of 5930km (3200nm).

PERFORMANCE
ERJ-135ER - Max cruising speed 834km/h (450kt). Service ceiling 37,000ft. Time to 35,000ft 21min. Takeoff field length at MTOW 1610m (5282ft). ERJ-135LR - Takeoff field length at MTOW 1722m (5650ft).

CAPACITY
Flight crew of two. ERJ-135 - Standard seating for 37 passengers at three abreast. ERJ-140 - Standard seating for 44 passengers at three abreast. Embraer Legacy with a seating of 14 executive seats.