Certification setbacks have postponed Embraer’s plans to deliver the first Legacy business jet to launch customer Swift Aviation. The Phoenix-based charter company now hopes to take delivery of its first airplane by mid-December, immediately after Embraer gains its expected FAA approvals. The Brazilian manufacturer also plans to deliver a Legacy to an anonymous domestic customer around the same time. JAA certification, originally planned for September, has slipped to early next year. Brazilian approval, first slated for the end of July, will not likely occur until the beginning of next month.
Embraer had prepared to fly the first Legacy, an executive-configured, 3,200-nm-range version of the ERJ-135 regional jet, from its factory in São José dos Campos, Brazil, to New Orleans for a ceremonial presentation to Swift Aviation. Embraer Aircraft Corp. vice chairman Sam Hill said the company expected to sign new customers for the program at NBAA. In an effort to salvage the lost sales opportunity, Embraer invited all those potential buyers to a reception later this month at its offices in West Palm Beach, Fla. To date, the Legacy has drawn firm orders for 48 jets, and options for a further 44. Swift, the largest customer, has placed a firm order for 25 of the $19.8 million (complete) jets, and holds options for another 25.
More In Aircraft
