Embraer Legacy 500 Executive Jet Sets New Speed Records

Embraer Executive Jets announced today that the Legacy 500 midsize aircraft has set two new world speed records for its class, totaling six in 2015.

“These new speed records reaffirm the Legacy 500’s superior performance and its suitability for transoceanic missions as well as coast-to-coast flights,” said Marco Tulio Pellegrini, President & CEO, Embraer Executive Jets. “The Legacy 500 is also setting new standards in comfort, technology, operational cost and reliability in the midsize class.”

The newest speed records were set for “Speed over a Recognized Course” on a trip from the west coast of the United States to Hawaii, with five passengers on board. The flight from Burbank to Kahului (Maui) covered 2,165 nm (4,010 km) in six hours, at an average ground speed of 422.25 mph (680 km/h), and the return flight to Phoenix achieved 525.97 mph (846 km/h), covering 2,470 nm (4,574) in five hours and 30 minutes.

The following speed records were achieved earlier this year:

Two speed records were set on a round-trip flight from Oakland, California to Lihue, Hawaii, with six passengers on board, covering 2,135 nm (3,954 km). The flight from Oakland to Lihue, on March 7, was completed in five hours and 49 minutes, achieving an average ground speed of 420 mph (676 km/h). The return flight took only four hours and 11 minutes, at an average ground speed of 586 mph (943km/h).

Another speed record set by the Legacy 500 was en route to Friedrichshafen, Germany, from Bangor, Maine, United States. The 3,210-nm (5,945 km) flight was completed in six hours and 50 minutes, with three occupants onboard.

The other speed record was set from Düsseldorf, Germany to Dubai, United Arab Emirates, spanning a distance of 3,268 nm (6,052 km), the longest Legacy 500 flight to date. The flight duration was seven hours and three minutes. With 1,900 lbs. of fuel reserves after landing, the average hourly fuel consumption was only 1,590 lbs.

The National Aeronautic Association (NAA) and the Federation Aeronautique Internationale have confirmed each of these flights as a U.S. record and a world record, respectively. In all six speed-record flights, the Legacy 500 completed the mission with NBAA IFR fuel reserves.