Embraer’s VLJ will carry up to eight operating speed of Mach 0.7.
Embraer announced its entry into the very light jet market at the 2005 European Business Aviation Conference & Exhibition. EBACE was held May 18-20 in Geneva, Switzerland. Senior Embraer executives, including Luis Carlos Affonso, vice president, corporate aviation, were on hand during the event.
The Legacy, a super midsize business jet based on the successful ERJ 135/145 regional jet platform, marked Embraer’s introduction in the business aviation market. To expand the company’s product portfolio, Embraer is complementing the Legacy offering with jets for the very light and light categories.
The company’s VLJ will carry up to eight people and be powered by Pratt & Whitney Canada’s PW617F engine, with 1,615 pounds of thrust. Its range will be 1,160 nautical miles with four people onboard; it will have a maximum operating speed of Mach 0.7. The airplane is designed for a short takeoff distance and is capable of flying at 41,000 feet. The VLJ is expected to enter service in mid-2008 and will be priced at $2.75 million.
A light jet will be powered by P&WC’s PW535E engine, with 3,200 pounds of thrust. Comfortably accommodating up to nine people, the light jet’s range will be 1,800 nautical miles with six people onboard, and it will have a maximum operating speed of Mach 0.78.
To expand its product portfolio, Embraer is complementing the Legacy offering with jets for the very light and light categories.
The airplane is also designed for a short takeoff distance and is capable of flying at 45,000 feet. The light jet is expected to enter service in mid-2009 and be priced at 6.65 million.
Embraer, the world’s leading manufacturer of commercial jets up to 110 seats, has 35 years of experience in designing, developing, manufacturing, selling and providing after sales support to aircraft for the global airline, defense and corporate markets. With headquarters in Sao Jose dos Campos, state of Sao Paulo, the company has offices and customer service bases in China, France, Portugal, Singapore and the United States.
