Brazilian aircraft manufacturer Embraer today announced the appointment of LuÀs Carlos Affonso as its new Senior Vice-President for the Corporate Aviation Market. Affonso will be responsible for the corporate aviation business, comprising business and product strategies, as well as marketing, sales and customer support for this segment.
Affonso has been with Embraer for 22 years. Most recently serving as Senior Vice-President of Engineering and New Product Development, he led the EMBRAER 170/190 program since its inception, strongly advancing Embraer’s position in the airline market. Previously, Affonso was Chief Engineer for the successful ERJ 145 program.
The new corporate aviation executive was introduced by Embraer CEO Maurício Botelho on the eve of the third edition of the Latin American Business Aviation Conference and Exhibition (LABACE), to be held in São Paulo from March 31 to April 2. Affonso met the media and presented Embraer’s corporate aviation business during a press conference at the show.
“I am thrilled to take charge of such a vibrant segment of Embraer and feel highly motivated by the prospects of this business line,” said Luís Carlos Affonso, newly appointed Senior Vice-President for Corporate Aviation.
“With an outstanding product like the Legacy, Embraer is making firm strides in the business aviation world. My mission is to advance Embraer’s position in the corporate jet market.”
Embraer entered the corporate jet market with the Legacy aircraft in 2000. Today, 49 Legacys are flying in 12 countries, a remarkable achievement for a product that was certified just under three years ago.
This month, Embraer announced the Legacy’s service ceiling rise to 41,000 feet and other cabin upgrades, including the High Speed Data with Wi-Fi connection and the pleated window shades. All of these new features will be available still in the first half of 2005.
About the Legacy
The Legacy is a super mid-size business jet based on the successful ERJ 135/145 regional jet platform with 900 aircraft delivered, more than 7 million hours flown and a dispatch reliability of over 99 percent.
The Legacy Executive carries up to 16 passengers in a 1,410 cu ft (39.9 m3) first-class cabin and is priced at $22.45 million USD (January 2005 economic conditions).
It cruises at a speed of up to Mach .80 and offers a range of 3,250 nm (6,019 Km) with 8 passengers and NBAA IFR reserves.
The Legacy Shuttle transports up to 19 passengers in business-class comfort or up to 37 passengers in the Shuttle HC version. The Legacy boasts the largest baggage compartment in the industry with 240 cu ft (6.8 m3) in the Executive and 325 cu ft (9.2 m3) in the Shuttle.
With the most spacious cabin in its class and priced at about a third less than comparable aircraft, the Legacy offers an unprecedented balance between comfort, reliability and performance.
Embraer
www.embraer.com.br