Legacy 450 info
 

The bosses are looking at possibly picking up a Legacy 450 this year. I know that Flex started flying these recently. Curious if any of their pilots, or anybody else flying it, would care to share their opinion on how it flies, mx issues, performance etc.

We were able to go through the plane down in Melbourne recently and everyone was quite impressed.

Same here, we are just evaluating.

Got to say, I´m more impressed with the 500, it offers a lot more:

room, T/O performance (if that is a concern), range, galley space.

Very quiet cabin, boss measured 73dBa, which is very quiet. A comparable product of different make had a measured level of 76dBa - at the same FL and seating position.

Had a 4 hours introduction on the avionics, a very impressive package.

Our bosses took a demo flight in a Latitude before looking at the 450. I know they were more impressed with the 450's fit and finish vs the Latitude. They have yet to take a flight in the 450, however.

I had the opportunity to go through the MX records of a 450 with roughly 250hrs on it. It was a very quick look, as there was... nothing.

Hi Gents,

Legacy 450 is a beauty. I fly both 450 and 500. If you ask me for three words: technology, comfort and performancd. As simple as that.

I am at your service.

Sydy

Hello,

I have the honor to be the Captain of the first Production Legacy 450 (serial #3 - 1 and 2 was test aircraft then sold). I fly it for 15 months now and a total of 400 hours. It's the best aircraft of his category and on every aspects. Beside the latest Gulfstream, there is no better cockpit : wide, ergonomic, silent and efficient. The cabin is plebiscited by all passengers (both Charter and Owner) including pax used to fly Falcon and Challenger. The Hold is huge and the internal stowage compartment is so useful. Of course the Galley of the 500 is better but the ration price/performance is better with the 450. We are operating quite often in the south of France at St Tropez airfield (1100m) and are the only mid-size aircraft in the world able to do it. Just qualified to London City. To Fly by Wire system is a must and so easy to fly even with strong and gusty cross wind.
The biggest default for me is the range. I would expect to fly direct London - NYC or Pars - Dubai. It miss 400 NM.
Regarding Mx, no major issues and the Embraer Service Center is doing a great job gathering the fixes from all around the world. Of course the Mechanics don't have much experience on type so it takes a little bit more time to fix the problems. We had 3 AOG (pitot, wx radar, fire loop) since delivery and all fixed in 48 hours.
Feel free if I can help with more questions
And you can check this video : https://youtu.be/Zfh6dC5Eghg
Regards
Cedric

Is this aircraft (legacy 500) in the same segment as the legacy 650??

Hi Cedric

Good info. Just one small correction: I believe the Latitude is also capable of landing in St. Tropez (La Mole) even under commercial rules (dry).

Also, I wouldn't expect transatlantic range from a midsize biz jet.

Overall I agree the 450/500 appear to be fantastic airplanes.

The Latitude certainly isn't easy in gusty conditions: No FBW, no hydraulic primary flight controls and a big wing (low wing loading). Other than that and the fact that it is not exactly fast,a really good aircraft as well, though.

Any idea why NJ dumped the L450 in favour of the Latitude? The only thing I can think of is runway performance. Otherwise, the L450/500 looks so far ahead in comparison.

In terms of runway performance the Latitude is a bit better. But really just a bit.

We do operate from a 1066m runway - and have bot checked out thoroughly.

BTW, even the G280 is now a contender on our runway - a little miracle if one considers the runway eating performance of its ancester, the G200...

No, two completely different airplanes.

How does the 450 handle the turbulence? We were told by a demo pilot that the independent ailerons, combined with the fly by wire, does a lot to smooth out the ride. Also, can the plane climb straight up to FL430 with a full load on-board, or do you need to step climb?

According to the flight planning guide you can go direct to FL430. Takes 23 minutes at MTOW

The G280 is an amazing aircraft. Certainly look at it. The cabin is the quietest Gulfstream have produced to this day, massive 1980 lb hold, vaccum toilet, wide cabin etc.

With the 3.6 software update, approach speeds and landing distances are much reduced. Autobrakes work well.

There is a rumor going around that the range will be further increased beyond the present 3600nm (at 0.8M/6 pax IFR)

The legacy 500 is a nice aircraft with a good finish, but it is still not a Gulfstream finish.

Your comments if we compare it with a CL650 for Range, Baggage, FA seat etc,
Thanks

Hello,
Yes I can confirm - and my passengers as well - that the turbulence are extenuated.
For the climb performance, yes you can climb to FL430 ONLY IN ISA 0 OR MINUS. If you have ISA + 5 or +10 (quite often over the Atlantic) you have to stop FL400. The Legacy 450 is really sensible about Temperature beyond FL400.

The unofficial explanation I heard is that M. Buffet, after the Brazilian choice for the small cabin (Phenom 300) and the Canadian choice for the large cabin (Bombardier) urge to have an American manufacturer for the mid size...

Anybody know if the Legacy 450 could make Hawaii from continental USA with a dry footprint? Say KOAK-PHOG??

Yes the Legacy 450 will easily make KOAK-PHOG with an average of 4-5 people!

Been flying it for a few months and its quite amazing! They have gone above and beyond and PAX are constantly commenting on how much they love it.

That's great to hear! Thanks for the info.
How many pax can you typically load on the airplane with full tanks of fuel?