Embraer Delivers a New Praetor 500 Conversion to AirSprint
aerobd.news : Embraer has delivered the first conversion of a Legacy 450 to a Praetor 500 jet for AirSprint Private Aviation. The Canadian Fractional Ownership company has another Legacy 450 scheduled to convert to a Praetor 500 this year, in addition to the delivery of a brand-new Praetor 500, also in 2021. With these additions, AirSprint will have three Praetor 500s in their fleet, and a total of nine Embraer aircraft.
In total, Embraer has already converted 16 Legacy 450s into Praetor 500s in Europe and North America. The full conversion process can be performed at Embraer Owned Service Centers.
“We are continuously looking for ways to elevate and enhance our Fractional Owners’ experience,” said James Elian, President of AirSprint, “The introduction of the Legacy 450 to the fleet in 2016 was a game changer for AirSprint as it opened up the world to our Fractional Owners like never before. With an increase in range of 15% over the Legacy 450, the Praetor 500 is the perfect complement to the fleet and the next step towards providing our Fractional Owners with direct access to many more destinations, more experiences, and more opportunities.”
“We are delighted to strengthen Embraer’s partnership with AirSprint, delivering its first converted Praetor 500,” said Frank Stevens, Vice President, Global MRO Centers, Embraer Services & Support. “We are looking forward to receiving another Legacy 450 in the coming months to perform the same modifications, which will offer even more flexibility to AirSprint’s operations.”
The Praetor 500 boasts an impressive, best-in-class range, capable of nonstop flights of 3,340 nm at long-range cruise speed. It can perform one-stop flight missions from Montréal to London, or Vancouver to Miami. In order to bridge the gap between the Legacy 450’s 2,904 nm range and the Praetor 500’s, several key modifications were made. The level-sensing wiring in the fuel tanks was replaced, the over-wing gravity fueling ports were moved, the fuel-measurement system was relocated, and the wing ribs were reinforced to hold additional weight. These adjustments entailed updates to the flight control systems, including a new avionics load for the acclaimed Collins Aerospace Pro Line Fusion flight deck.
Most noticeably, the iconic swept winglets of the Praetor were installed, and the placards and logos were replaced to officially convert the Legacy 450 into a Praetor 500. With the Praetor 500 comes an unparalleled blend of technology, comfort, and performance. In terms of technology, the Praetor 500 features the industry-first E2VS ― a head-up display that combines synthetic and enhanced vision. Plus, it’s the only midsize business jet with full fly-by-wire flight controls and turbulence reduction capability.
Comfort abounds in the Praetor 500 cabin. It’s the only midsize business jet to feature a true six-foot-tall, flat-floor cabin, stone flooring, a wet galley, and a vacuum lavatory―all with best-in-class baggage space. As for performance, the conversion to a Praetor 500 entails an intercontinental range of 3,340 nautical miles (6,186 km) with four passengers and NBAA IFR Reserves.
About the Praetor Jets
The Praetor 500 and the Praetor 600, both of which received FAA, EASA and ANAC certifications less than one year after they were first announced at NBAA-BACE 2018, are the most technologically advanced aircraft in their categories. The Praetor 500 surpassed certification goals, achieving an intercontinental range of 3,340 nautical miles (6,186 km) with four passengers and NBAA IFR Reserves. The Praetor 500 is the farthest- and fastest-flying midsize jet, capable of true North America corner-to-corner, nonstop flights, such as Miami to Seattle or Los Angeles to New York. Its sibling, the Praetor 600, is the farthest-flying super-midsize jet in the world, capable of nonstop flights from Paris to New York or São Paulo to Miami. With four passengers and NBAA IFR Reserves, the Praetor 600 has intercontinental range of 4,018 nautical miles (7,441 km).
The Embraer DNA Design interior eloquently explores every dimension of the cabins of the Praetor jets, including a six-foot-tall, flat-floor cabin, with stone flooring, and a vacuum service lavatory. The class-exclusive turbulence reduction capability and 5,800-foot cabin altitude, complemented by a whisper-silent cabin, have set the highest standards in customer experience in both the midsize and super-midsize categories. The largest baggage compartment in the class is complemented by a generous wardrobe and a full vanity in the rear private lavatory.
Advanced technology throughout the cabin is also a trait of the Embraer DNA Design, beginning with the industry-exclusive Upper Tech Panel that displays flight information and offers cabin management features also available on personal devices through Honeywell Ovation Select. High-capacity, ultra-high-speed connectivity for all aboard is available through Viasat’s Ka-band, with typical speeds of around 20Mbps and video streaming capability, another industry-exclusive in midsize jets.
About Embraer Services & Support
The Embraer Services & Support network covers the globe with 77 owned and authorized service centers and two 24/7 Contact Centers at Embraer’s Brazil headquarters. The organization employs 2,300 staff, who support 1,700 customers and 5,600 defense, commercial, agricultural, and business aircraft, as well as agnostic services performed by OGMA in Portugal. Spares inventories valued at over US$ 1 billion are distributed among 24 warehouses across five continents. Our professionals are experts in aircraft performance, component repair, parts distribution, training, spares planning, interior modifications, and global logistics. Embraer Services & Support launched TechCare, a platform designed to deliver a comprehensive portfolio of innovative and competitive solutions, extending aircraft service life and maximizing the Embraer fleet’s fullest potential.
About Embraer
A global aerospace company headquartered in Brazil, Embraer has businesses in Commercial and Executive aviation, Defense & Security and Agricultural Aviation. The company designs, develops, manufactures and markets aircraft and systems, providing Services & Support to customers after-sales.
Since it was founded in 1969, Embraer has delivered more than 8,000 aircraft. On average, about every 10 seconds an aircraft manufactured by Embraer takes off somewhere in the world, transporting over 145 million passengers a year.
Embraer is the leading manufacturer of commercial jets up to 150 seats and the main exporter of high value-added goods in Brazil. The company maintains industrial units, offices, service and parts distribution centers, among other activities, across the Americas, Africa, Asia and Europe.
The Author
