On the Record with FREDERICO CORRADO, EXECUTIVE VICE-PRESIDENT,
CIVIL AVIATION MARKET, EMBRAER
"Meet Fred Corrado," says Fred Corrado. He's the new
evp of civil aviation operations at Empresa Brasileira de Aeronáutica
S.A.-better known as Embraer, Brazil's largest exporter and, mostly
on the strength of its regional jet prowess, the fourth largest
airframer in the world, with more than 12,300 employees.
Why the self-introduction? Corrado's task this week is to acquaint
himself with the business aviation world. "I'm absolutely new,"
he says.
Corrado, a veteran of Pratt & Whitney Canada, describes himself
as "an airline guy," but says the Embraer philosophy of
customer satisfaction and responsiveness (and competitive pricing)
is perfectly applicable to business aviation.
Embraer, à la Airbus and Boeing, is drawing on its strength
in passenger aircraft to offer a large-cabin executive jet. The
Legacy, FAA-certified in September 2001, is a $20.8 million aircraft
with cabin dimensions competitive with $30 million Gulfstreams or
Falcons-with upwards of 1,400 cubic feet it's "60% larger than
other super midsize business jets," its manufacturer says.
The Mach .80 Legacy has Rolls-Royce AE 3007 engines and an eight-passenger
range of 3,250 nmi. Legacy jets are completed by Embraer in Brazil
using a design developed in league with Nordam. There is a flat-floor
option and a recessed-aisle configuration for increased headroom.
A corporate shuttle Legacy version is available for $16.5 million.
Corrado's got a good head start, as Embraer claims 57 firm orders
for the Legacy, plus 41 options. That includes the announcement
just last month that the government of India is talking five aircraft
for VIP transport (see box). More than 20 Legacys have been delivered.
Phoenix-based Swift Aviation Services (Booth 3241) was the lead
and remains the biggest Legacy customer, with 25 orders.
As for a bigger business jet from Embraer, "We're going to
look at the 170, we're going to look at the 190," Corrado says.
The Legacy is based on Embraer's 37-passenger ERJ-135.
"We will not stop with the Legacy where it is today,"
he vows, although it'll likely be at least two or three years before
the Brazilian company is ready to launch a larger business jet.
"These things will take time to mature," Corrado says.
Scott Kalister directs Legacy marketing and sales for Embraer,
at Booth 6551 here.
Five Legacy Jets to India
Embraer just last month let out the word that it's sold
five Legacy jets for government VIP transportation in India.
Four will replace venerable Avro 748 twin turboprops operated
by the Palam-based Air HQ Communication Squadron of the Indian
Air Force, with responsibility for transporting the Indian
president, vice-president and prime minister, among others.
The fifth Legacy will be operated by the Border Security
Force, Embraer says, under the Indian Home Ministry.
"Embraer is proud to have added the Indian Government
to its customer base, thus contributing to increased cooperation
between our two countries," said Embraer president and
CEO Maurício Botelho. "We are definitely committed
to a long-term relationship with the Indian government,"
he said.
The five Legacys for India will be completed with a special
14-seat executive interior, "two separate compartments
for senior authorities and their staff," and "special
self-protection suites."
