An Embraer Legacy 500 demonstrated the aircraft’s steep approach capability to operate at London City Airport on Friday, following approval in March for the type to fly the required 5.5-degree approach profile into the airfield. The Legacy 500 that performed this demonstration is Embraer’s 1,000th delivered business jet, which was handed over to Flexjet last month. This is the fourth Legacy 500 to join the Flexjet fleet and is part of a firm order from the fractional provider for Legacy 450s and 500s.
The recent approval for the Legacy 500 into London City follows a comprehensive flight-test campaign, which included takeoffs and steep approach landings at the airport to meet strict technical and environmental performance standards. Friday’s flight was the types first into London City carrying passengers. London City’s short runway, steep approach and departure angle, as well as other operational controls, requires a special certification for every aircraft and, separately, flight crewmembers that operates there.
“The Legacy 500…is now able to fly in and out of London City Airport, reaching destinations as far as Riyadh, Saudi Arabia or Gander, Canada,” said Embraer Executive Jets president and CEO Marco Tulio Pellegrini. “This new operational capability for London’s financial district, one of Europe’s major business aviation hubs, will offer our customers additional flexibility.”
Flexjet CEO Michael Silvestro said that London City “is an important destination for Flexjet owners and clients who are making use of our rapidly growing international service offering.”
