Embraer Praetor 500: The Complete Buyer's Guide
The Short Version
The Embraer Praetor 500 is a midsize jet with super-midsize range — 3,340 nautical miles at Mach 0.80 with full fly-by-wire controls and a flat-floor cabin. Pre-owned examples trade between $14M and $20M. New list price is approximately $17M.
At a Glance
Operational Reach
What Makes the Praetor 500 Different
1. Fly-by-wire in the midsize segment
The only midsize jet with full fly-by-wire flight controls — smoother handling, better ride quality, and enhanced safety.
2. Range that bridges midsize and super-midsize
At 3,340 NM, the Praetor 500 outranges the Citation Latitude (2,700 NM) and Challenger 350 (3,200 NM). US coast-to-coast and most transatlantic eastbound routings.
3. Best short-field performance in its class
Takeoff in 4,222 feet, landing in 2,086 feet. Accesses airports that midsize competitors struggle with.
Who Is This Aircraft For?
- ●Operators who need super-midsize range in a midsize package.
- ●Technology-forward buyers who value fly-by-wire controls and modern avionics.
- ●Short-field operators who regularly use airports with runways under 5,000 feet.
- ●First-time jet owners who want meaningful transcontinental capability.
When It's Not the Right Fit
- ●The cabin at 24'0" long and 6'9" wide is compact. For more than 6 passengers on flights over 3 hours, it will feel tight. The Challenger 350 (28'5" × 7'2") offers significantly more space.
What It Costs to Own and Operate
Acquisition (Pre-Owned)
Annual Fixed Costs
Variable Costs
The Pre-Owned Market Right Now
Market research reviewed October 8, 2026. Figures below retain their source dates and measurement basis.
Dated market benchmark, reviewed October 8, 2026: Duncan Aviation's July 2026 guide gives Praetor 500 Vref valuations of $14.08M–$19.38M across its listed vintages. This is a model-wide valuation reference, not a reported transaction range or a current seller quote; the upper end for an in-production type can include very new aircraft.
JetsIntel's September 2026 public model list tracks 6 Praetor 500 aircraft. This describes its market database coverage, rather than the whole operating fleet or an independently verified count of aircraft available today.
The Praetor 500 overlaps the Challenger 350's acquisition tier in the July valuations. The useful comparison is aircraft of similar age and coverage, with range needs and cabin preferences deciding which premium is justified.
What to Watch For When Buying
1. Fleet Size and Support
The Praetor 500 fleet is still modest. Consider proximity to authorized service centers.
2. Legacy 450 Comparison
The Legacy 450 predecessor is available pre-owned from ~$10M–$14M with less range (2,904 NM). Significant savings if extra range isn't critical.
3. Cabin Configuration
At 24'0", every inch matters. Evaluate galley, lavatory placement, and seat count carefully.
4. HTF7500E Engine Program
Same engine as the Praetor 600. Ensure MSP enrollment for predictable costs.
Praetor 500 vs. The Competition
| Aircraft | Range | Max Speed | Cabin W | Cabin L | Pax | New Price | Pre-Owned |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bombardier Challenger 350 | 3,200 NM | Mach 0.83 | 7'2" | 28'5" | 8–10 | Discontinued (historical) | ~$12M (historical) |
| Cessna Citation Latitude | 2,700 NM | Mach 0.80 | 6'4" | 22'0" | 7–9 | ~$19M (historical) | ~$10M (historical) |
| Gulfstream G280 | 3,600 NM | Mach 0.84 | 7'2" | 25'10" | 8–10 | ~$24.5M (historical) | ~$10M (historical) |
Bombardier Challenger 350
Cessna Citation Latitude
Gulfstream G280
vs. Bombardier Challenger 350
Significantly larger cabin and deeper pre-owned market. The Praetor 500 has fly-by-wire and slightly more range.
See full comparison →vs. Cessna Citation Latitude
Less expensive but gives up 640 NM of range. The Praetor 500 is the more capable aircraft.
vs. Gulfstream G280
More range and wider cabin, but higher price. The Praetor 500 is the technology-value play.
See full comparison →Looking for a Praetor 500? Let's talk.
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Source a Praetor 500 →Frequently Asked Questions
3,340 nautical miles at Mach 0.80. US coast-to-coast, Dubai to most European capitals.
Reviewed October 8, 2026: $14.08M–$19.38M Vref (July 2026). This is a published model-wide valuation benchmark covering its listed vintages, rather than a completed-sale range. The market overview links the source and explains the sample.
The 600 has a longer cabin (27'6" vs. 24'0") and more range (4,018 vs. 3,340 NM). Same fly-by-wire and engine type.
Yes — the only midsize jet with full fly-by-wire flight controls.
Eastbound yes. Westbound is marginal and weather-dependent.
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Initiate Private ConsultationLast updated: 2026-10-08