Aircraft
Fly-by-wire Software Issue Delays Embraer’s Midsize Jets
Software problems with the Embraer Legacy 500's fly-by-wire system is delaying the aircraft program by some nine months.

While the first Embraer Legacy 500 prototype continues to near the end of the production line, the midsize business jet will not make its maiden flight by year-end as originally scheduled. According to the Brazilian aircraft manufacturer, the delay stems from the Parker remote electronic unit software in the aircraft’s fly-by-wire (FBW) flight-control system.

Embraer president and CEO Frederico Curado revealed the problem earlier this month during the company’s third-quarter investor conference, describing the issue as “softness of flight control.” He also noted that Embraer is considering bringing this work in-house to resolve the software issue.