A DREAM AIRCRAFT
A combination of the know-how acquired in the development of its predecessor, the Legacy 500, with the innovative excellence of the most recent Embraer jets. Since 2012 almost 250 examples of the Embraer Praetor 600, a mediumsize jet, have been delivered. It features a bright cabin that can be furnished as desired and is totally personalisable
by Sergio Barlocchetti - ph. courtesy by Embraer
If I could design my dream executive aircraft, as a passionate pilot I wouldn’t want one that’s too big. I’d be happy with a mediumsized executive jet that can carry all the luggage brought along by the friends I’ve invited to travel with me, including those problematic items like surfboards and bicycles, but can also take on enough fuel to fly non-stop from London to New York. This means breaking the psychological barrier of 4,000 nautical miles. The aircraft should also be capable of operating from short runways like those at Saint Tropez or the Island of Elba, and also touch down on surfaces less pristine than those of an F1 circuit.
Then there are more technical considerations, like maintaining a cabin pressure equivalent to a bracing hilltop while flying at a height of 45,000 feet and enjoying a rapid Ka band connection, which is the one that works best even in adverse weather conditions.
What pilot wouldn’t want fly-by wire controls with lateral stick, autothrottle, advanced synthetic vision system (EVS and SVS on HUD screen HUD)? Almost 250 examples of the Embraer Praetor 600 medium-size business jet have been delivered since 2012 (around
80 of the 600 version, the others the smaller 500 variant), and which is appreciated because it offers features normally only found on larger aircraft while retaining some characteristics of a smaller model, like an uninterrupted current electrical system with compressed air turbine to generate power in case of emergencies.
Taken together, the various fuel tank sections can hold just over 16,000 pounds of fuel without shifting the centre of gravity too far, while a quick look at the wings, swept back at an angle of 26.7 degrees, shows that what you read in the flight manual, that the aircraft can fly at low speeds, with an approach speed below 110 KCAS but also at high speeds of up to Mach 0.83, is true. Avionics are based on the Collins Pro Line Fusion integrated platform and both pilots have access to all four displays using the classic cursor situated at the top of the central console.
The aircraft is powered by two digital-control Honeywell HTF7500E turbofans. Ignition and cut-out are activated by a single digital control with Run, Start and Stop positions, something I’d regard as an essential feature. For style lovers, the cabin is full of light and can
The Praetor 600 embodies the experience gained with its predecessor, the Legacy 500, combining this with the innovative drive of the more recent Embraer jets. The engines are two digital control Honeywell HTF7500E turbofans
be furnished with a range of interior colours that can be personalised by using the configurator. The lines of the furniture are clean, no Baroque stylings or old-fashioned American-style concepts like over-stuffed seats, a sign that Embraer is continuing the modernisation initiative that has brought the company success with the Phenom models. Passengers boarding for the first time will be given the impression of a refined, exclusive cabin, even if, as in my case, they do so after the aircraft has been sitting for hours under the sun at Milan’s Linate airport. The seating configurations cater for eight to twelve passengers, but the solutions I like best feature a central sofa on which it’s possible to rest while taking advantage of the opportunity to regulate interior lighting levels.
All in all, the Praetor 600 embodies the experience gained with the previous Legacy 500 and combines this with innovative drive of the more recent Embraer jets. No business jet is created by chance, every model we see take off is the result of feedback from the client to the manufacturer, who is keen to build customer loyalty. The price? An aircraft with all the bells and whistles will set you back around 25 million dollars. The hourly operating costs calculated by analysts is 600,000 dollars a year, while hourly rental cost is around 8-9,000 dollars.
www.embraer.executive.com
The cabin interiors have clean lines. The seating configurations cater for eight to twelve passengers with a central sofa, taking advantage of the opportunity to regulate interior lighting levels