Canadian fractional ownership company AirSprint Private Aviation has taken delivery of the first Legacy 450 converted to a Praetor 500 jet. AirSprint has another Legacy 450 scheduled to convert to a Praetor 500 this year, in addition to the delivery of a brand-new Praetor 500 in October 2021. With these additions, AirSprint will have three Praetor 500s in its fleet and a total of nine Embraer aircraft.

In total, Embraer has already converted 16 Legacy 450s into Praetor 500s in Europe and North America. The full conversion process can be performed at Embraer-owned service centres.

“We are continuously looking for ways to elevate and enhance our fractional owners' experience,” says James Elian, president of AirSprint. “The introduction of the Legacy 450 to the fleet in 2016 was a game changer for us as it opened up the world to our fractional owners like never before. With an increase in range of 15 per cent over the Legacy 450, the Praetor 500 is the perfect complement to the fleet and the next step towards providing our fractional owners with direct access to many more destinations, more experiences and more opportunities.”

“We are delighted to strengthen Embraer's partnership with AirSprint, delivering its first converted Praetor 500,” adds Frank Stevens, VP of global MRO centres for Embraer Services and Support. “We are looking forward to receiving another Legacy 450 in the coming months to perform the same modifications, which will offer even more flexibility to AirSprint's operations.”

The Praetor 500 is capable of nonstop flights of 3,340 nm at long-range cruise speed. It can perform one-stop flight missions from Montréal to London, or Vancouver to Miami. In order to bridge the gap between the Legacy 450's 2,904 nm range and the Praetor 500's, several modifications were made. The level-sensing wiring in the fuel tanks was replaced, the over-wing gravity fueling ports were moved, 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 and the placards and logos were replaced to officially convert the Legacy 450 into a Praetor 500. With the Praetor 500 comes an unparalleled blend of technology, comfort and performance. In terms of technology, the Praetor 500 features the industry-first E2VS, a head-up display that combines synthetic and enhanced vision. Plus, it's the only midsize business jet with full fly-by-wire flight controls and turbulence reduction capability.

The Praetor 500's cabin features a six-foot-tall, flat-floor cabin, stone flooring, a wet galley and a vacuum lavatory, all with considerable 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.

AirSprint has also announced changes to its leadership, which took effect at the beginning of this year. Elian was named as president and CEO after 20 years with the company. His contributions have been fundamental to the success of AirSprint, which today operates Canada's largest and North America's newest fleet of fractional aircraft. As president since 2015, he has led AirSprint's daily operations and rapid growth and continues to implement its strategic direction.

Jared Williams will take on the role of COO and will also continue as VP of operations. His more than 20 years of aviation experience are crucial to AirSprint's daily operations as he provides oversight for safety, asset and fleet efficiency, regulatory compliance, operational reliability and owner experience.

Judson T. Macor, who founded AirSprint in 2000, will continue as chairman of the board. His background as a commercial pilot, then a lawyer and with formal education in aeronautics, business and law, brings a perspective that enables the organisation to continuously deliver safety, efficiency and performance.

“Who we are today is in great part a piece of where we came from, and I am indebted to all those who drove a start-up company into Canada's leading private fractional ownership company,” Macor comments. “I look forward to working with James and Jared in their new positions as we continue to serve the needs of our fractional owners and give them unrivalled access to turn-key travel experiences. I would also like to take this opportunity to thank everyone at AirSprint for their outstanding contributions, which enhanced our safety and service culture over the past year during an unprecedented time.”