General Aviation Embraer completes first Praetor 500 conversion in Europe

Embraer has completed the first European conversion of a Legacy 450 business jet to a Praetor 500 for an undisclosed customer. Embraer stated that the conversion was performed at the Embraer Executive Jets Service Center at Le Bourget International Airport, in Paris, France.

Most noticeably, the conversion sees the swept winglets of the Praetor being installed in the new aircraft. Also, the converted Praetor 500 now has placards and logos replaced to officially convert the aircraft.

Regarding the new technology on board, Embraer has installed a head-up display that combines synthetic and enhanced vision. Additionally, the Praetor 500 features the only six-foot-tall cabin in the midsize business jet category.

Johann Bordais, President & CEO, Embraer Service & Support said: “These conversions are only made possible by the expertise of structures and avionics specialists, mechanics, logistics teams, and engineers from Embraer operations around the globe [...] Per Embraer’s strategy for the future, we are consistently investing in and expanding our portfolio, focused on offering our customers the industry’s best services and support.”

The Legacy 450 has a range of 2,904 nm (5,378 km), while the Praetor 500 entails an intercontinental range of 3,340 nautical miles (6,186 km). The Legacy can fly at high-speed cruise with 462 ktas, while the Praetor 500 can fly with 466 ktas.

Embraer´s Praetor 500 is the farthest- and fastest-flying midsize jet, capable of performing nonstop flights like from Miami to Seattle or Los Angeles to New York. The aircraft is the smaller sibling to the Praetor 600.

With the opportunity for customers to convert their Legacy 450 aircraft into more modern and more efficient Praetor 500 business jets, Embraer is utilizing equality of structure both aircraft have. It allows the manufacturer to open new markets in modernizing older aircraft.

Embraer is one of the largest aviation companies in the world and has delivered more than 8,000 aircraft since it was founded in 1969. In a normal year, Embraer aircraft transport around 145 million passengers.