Embraer EMB-545 Legacy 450

Overview

The Embraer Legacy 450 (EMB-545) is a midsize business jet certified in 2015. It was the first aircraft in its category to feature full fly-by-wire technology with sidestick controls, paired with a Rockwell Collins Pro Line Fusion avionics suite. The Legacy 450 offers a flat-floor, stand-up cabin — uncommon in the midsize segment — and short-field performance that opens smaller airports. Production ran from 2015 to approximately 2021, with 57 units delivered before the type was superseded by the Praetor 500. Earlier Legacy 450s can be converted to Praetor 500 configuration.

Key Features for GA Buyers

• Flat-floor stand-up cabin: 6 ft high, 6 ft 10 in wide — genuinely unusual for a midsize jet and a significant comfort differentiator on longer legs.
• Fly-by-wire with sidesticks: The only fully digital flight controls in its class at introduction; contributes to light handling and precise energy management.
• Short-field capability: Takeoff over 50 ft obstacle in approximately 3,907 ft at MTOW — competitive for a 35,000-lb jet.
• Cabin pressurization: 9.6 psi differential maintains a 6,000 ft cabin altitude at FL450, reducing passenger fatigue on transcontinental segments.
• Common type rating with Legacy 500: Operationally convenient for flight departments flying both types.
• Praetor 500 upgrade path: Embraer offers a conversion program, preserving residual value for owners who want extended range without a full fleet change.

Trade-offs

• Range ceiling: 2,900 nm with 4 passengers (NBAA IFR); the slightly larger Legacy 500 offered 3,125 nm, which pushed many buyers upmarket. This was the primary commercial weakness.
• Low production volume: Only 57 units built. Maintenance network, parts availability, and resale liquidity are all narrower than higher-volume types.
• Crew requirement: Requires two pilots and a type rating — not owner-flown territory.
• Operating cost: Approximately $2,790/hr (charter market estimate); total annual cost of ownership in the $1M range depending on utilization.
• Superseded: The Praetor 500 addresses the range gap and is the current Embraer offering in this slot. Legacy 450 values have softened accordingly.

See Also

• Embraer Legacy 500 (EMB-550) — longer range, 12 seats, $3.4M more at 2016 list price
• Embraer Praetor 500 — successor model, 3,340 nm range, upgrade-eligible from Legacy 450
• Cessna Citation Latitude — Embraer’s identified direct competitor; comparable cabin comfort, shorter range
• Bombardier Challenger 350 — super-midsize alternative at higher price point