Embraer has completed the first conversion in Brazil of a Legacy 450 to a Praetor 500 jet. The aircraft was delivered to an undisclosed customer. The conversion was performed at Embraer's service centre in Sorocaba, Brazil.

With this delivery, Embraer has already converted a total of 20 Legacy 450s into Praetor 500s in Europe, North America and now in Brazil. The full conversion process can be performed at Embraer owned service centres.

The Praetor 500 is capable of nonstop flights of 3,340 nm. It can perform one-stop flight missions from Manaus in Brazil to New York or from Natal in Brazil to Lisbon. In order to bridge the gap between the Legacy 450's 2,904 nm range and the Praetor 500's, several key modifications were made.

The level-sensing wiring in the fuel tanks was replaced, the over-wing gravity fuelling ports were moved outboard, the fuel-measurement system was relocated and the wing ribs were reinforced to hold additional weight. These adjustments entailed updates to the flight control systems, including a new avionics load for the acclaimed Collins Aerospace Pro Line Fusion flight deck.

Most noticeably, the swept winglets of the Praetor were installed, while the placards and logos were replaced to officially convert the Legacy 450 into a Praetor 500. With the Praetor 500 comes a blend of technology, comfort and performance. In terms of technology, the Praetor 500 features the segment-first E2VS, a head-up display that combines synthetic and enhanced vision. It is also the only midsize business jet with full fly-by-wire flight controls and turbulence reduction capability.

Comfort abounds in the Praetor 500 cabin. It's the only midsize business jet to feature a true six-foot-tall, flat-floor cabin, stone flooring, wet galley and vacuum lavatory, all with ample baggage space. As for performance, the conversion to a Praetor 500 entails an intercontinental range of 3,340 nm with four passengers and NBAA IFR reserves.