Embraer says it has achieved another milestone in the
development of its new Legacy 500midsize executive jet with the
joining of the aircraft's three fuselage sections: cockpit, center
fuselage and aft fuselage. It notes that the Legacy 500 final
assembly will take place at Embraer facilities in São José dos
Campos, Brazil, saying this is an important step towards beginning
flight tests in the second half of 2011.
"The joining of the fuselage
sections of the first prototype is a key milestone in our
development schedule, and we will join the second one in the near
future. Embraer is adopting a multi-site industrial strategy for
the production of parts and major structures of the Legacy 500,
supplied from all over the world," says Mr. Maurício Almeida,
Embraer's Vice President, Programs - Executive Jets. "Our robust
design, manufacturing capability, and quality control process
allowed for joining of these sections together flawlessly, as we
move solidly through the development stages of this aircraft. This
is made possible by the perfect integration of Embraer and its
partners."
Embraer notes that the main
structure of the Legacy 500 is built of aluminum alloy, with a
substantial content of composite materials, stating that the
production process has seen a considerable increase in the use of
robots and lean manufacturing processes.