Embraer Legacy 500 to gain steep approach approvals

Embraer's Legacy 500 is poised to receive approval fromLondon City airport and EASA for steep-approach operations, permitting the midsize business jet to perform approaches at descent angles of up to 5.5°.

The eight-seat aircraft, which gained EASA certification a year ago, will be the sixth business jet in Embraer's lineup that is cleared to operate at airports with a steep angle of approach. Other destinations with such limitations include Lugano-Agno and Sion airports, in Switzerland.

London City, in the Docklands district, is one of the most popular destinations for business aircraft in Europe due to its proximity to the capital's financial district.

The Legacy 500, along with its superlight stablemate the Legacy 450 – expected to secure similar approvals early next year – can fly approaches with glideslopes as steep as 7.5°, says Embraer.

Meanwhile. the Brazilian airframer has received a letter of intent from global hospitality company MGM Resorts International for three Lineage 1000E VIP airliners and the same number of Legacy 500s.

Deliveries to the US-based company – owner of 20 upmarket hotels and casinos including the MGM Grand, Mandalay Bay and Bellagio’s on the Las Vegas strip – will begin at the end of the year.

The aircraft will replace MGM’s fleet of Boeing Business Jets and Gulfstream types and will be used for VIP customer transportation.

“A vitally important element of our overall guest service is delivering a comfortable travel experience to some of our most important guests," says company chairman and chief executive Jim Murren.