Embraer Introduces the Most Disruptive and Technologically Advanced Aircraft into the Midsize and Super-midsize Categories; The Praetor 500 and Praetor 600 Business Jets.
Embraer have introduced the new Praetor 500 midsize and Praetor 600 super-midsize business jets during a company event at Orlando Executive Airport, where the 2018 National Business Aviation Association’s Business Aviation Convention and Exhibition (NBAA-BACE) will be held from October 16-18. The new Praetor 500 and Praetor 600 will be on static display during NBAA-BACE.
I was extremely fortunate to be able to see the new executive jet ahead of the launch. I flew on the new Praetor 500 from Punta Cana to Fort Lauderdale last week. Then I was shown the larger Praetor 600 series at Ft Lauderdale airport.
Here are some pictures and thoughts of my flight on the new Praetor 500.
The cabin is much wider than existing mid-size jet such as Cessna Latitude/Citation or Lear Jet. It also comes with a flat floor without the extra step on each side like many existing mid-size jet.
A double sofa space is located at the front near the door which gives feeling of a new mini cabin.
A full bathroom is located in the rear of the plane.
You can reach out the storage from the bathroom.
The Praetor business jet comes with full fly-by-wire technology and active turbulence reduction, complemented by a best-in-class 5,800-foot cabin altitude for the comfort.
A full breakfast was catered and served after we took off. Flight time to Ft Lauderdale was 2 hours 30 minutes with some minor turbulence along the way due to tropical storm Michael.
The Praetor 500 can comfortably accommodate up to 8 passengers. I particularly like how wide and spacious it feel as a mid-size jet category. The height of the cabin is 6 foot.
High-capacity high-speed connectivity for all aboard is available through ViaSat’s Ka-band with speeds of up to 16Mbps and IPTV. I was able to stream Youtube content throughout the flight.
The seats can be turned sideways and rotate 360 degrees to face each other. The forward seats can turn into 2 full sleeper berths.
The Praetor 500 will be the fastest midsize aircraft, capable of reaching Europe from the west coast of the U.S. with a single stop. It will lead the midsize class with a continental range of 3,250 nautical miles (6,019 km). The cabin was extremely quiet during all phase of the flight.
Arriving into the Florida coast line before turning base into Ft Lauderdale Airport (Rwy 12R)
My ride to Ft Lauderdale was very smooth despite the tropical storm system affecting Florida. I was extremely impressed about the cabin width, space and comfort this mid-size jet offered. I have flown on similar mid-size jet such as Cessna Citation and Lear jet but would put the Praetor above them. Once you're seated inside the Praetor you will notice the difference!
The list price of Praetor starts with $16,995,000.
Meet Praetor 600, Embraer's new super mid-size business jet
The Praetor 600 will be the farthest- flying super-midsize business jet, which allows nonstop flights between London and New York. With four passengers and NBAA IFR Reserves, the Praetor 600 will have an intercontinental range of 3,900 nautical miles (7,223 km) with the highest payload capacity in its class, delivering maximum range capability.
“Inspired by our Brazilian heritage, the Bossa Nova interior will delight Praetor customers with its distinctively elegant ambience,”
said Jay Beever, Vice President, Interior Design, Embraer Executive Jets. “With personal comfort as the key design driver, the Embraer DNA Design will render an unparalleled passenger experience in the Praetor jets. Upon the foundation of ergonomics and superior craftsmanship, each customer’s personal design style will be reflected throughout the cabin.”
The Praetor jets are currently under development with two Praetor 600 prototypes in flight tests as well as one production-conforming aircraft, and one production-conforming Praetor 500 in its maturity campaign. The Praetor 600 is expected to be certified and enter service in the second quarter of 2019, followed by the Praetor 500 in the third quarter of 2019.
Embraer introduced the two aircraft as the next generation versions of its Legacy 450 and Legacy 500 jets.