Embraer Executive Jets launches Legacy 450 fabrication

Embraer Executive Jets passed a major milestone in the mid-light Legacy 450 program last week when the first part was milled for the business jet, ushering in the beginning of fabrication.

"Even as we have been making progress on the Legacy 500, we have been anticipating this event for the Legacy 450," said Ernest Edwards, President, Embraer Executive Jets. "The first metal cut for the Legacy 450 is a landmark event for the program and is the latest step in bringing this, the second of our revolutionary jets to reality."

A component of the forward fuselage, the part was milled from a block of aluminum alloy by a five-axis, high-performance machining center. Fully automated, the milling process drew data directly from a digital mockup of the 2,300-nm-range Legacy 450. Once completed, the part was approved by a quality control process that employed the use of laser devices for design validation with the digital mockup.

The Legacy 450 is designed with the latest engineering software, CATIA V5, with production planning for the business aircraft simulated by digital virtual manufacturing software.

The first metal cut comes after the completion of the Joint Definition Phase for the aircraft in May. The Detailed Design and Certification Phase is ongoing and the Critical Design Reviews are scheduled to be completed at the end of August.

For both the Legacy 450 and mid-size Legacy 500, Embraer has completed more than 8,000 systems test hours with 2,500 hours logged on the Iron Bird since November 2010.

The two aircraft bring fly-by-wire technology to the mid-light and mid-size segments for the first time. Based on extensive customer feedback, the aircraft have a six-foot, stand-up cabin with a flat floor making them the largest cross sections and cabin volume in their classes.

They also offer the only wet galley in their segments as well as Honeywell's Ovation Select cabin management and entertainment system. They come with a vacuum toilet standard, also unique to each class. The cockpit sports the Rockwell Collins Pro Line Fusion avionics, ready for upcoming CNS/ATM requirements.