The first conversion of a Legacy 450 to a Praetor 500 has been completed for an unnamed customer by Embraer Services & Support at the Embraer Executive Jets Service Center at Bradley International Airport in Connecticut. It extends the fly-by-wire twinjet’s range from 2,900 nm to 3,340 nm with four passengers and NBAA IFR reserves.

Included in the conversion was replacing the level-sensing wiring in the fuel tanks, moving the over-wing gravity fuel ports, relocating the fuel measurement system, and reinforcing the wing ribs. Also included were updates to the flight control systems such as a new avionics load for the Collins Aerospace Pro Line Fusion flight deck, as well as installation of Praetor 500 winglets, placards, and logos.

Besides Bradley, the conversions can also be performed at the Brazilian airframer’s owned service centers in Fort Lauderdale, Florida; Sorocaba, Brazil; and Paris Le Bourget. “Embraer-owned service centers are well prepared with parts kits and skilled labor and are ready to bring…the Praetor 500 to our existing Legacy 450 customers,” said Embraer Services & Support president and CEO Johann Bordais. “This conversion makes a great airplane even more industry-leading.” 

Embraer announced the Praetor 500 and its larger cousin, the Praetor 600, as redesigns of the Legacy 450 and 500 at the 2018 NBAA-BACE. Both received type certification from regulators in Brazil, the U.S., and Europe the following year. Along with the new variants, Embraer announced upgrade kits for conversion to the Praetor series.