EMB 810 Seneca

The Embraer EMB‑810 Seneca is a twin‑engine light piston aircraft that entered production in 1978 as part of Embraer’s push to capture the general‑aviation market outside Brazil. Developed from the earlier EMB‑500 series, the Seneca combined a low‑wing aluminum airframe with a spacious six‑seat cabin, aiming at both business travel and flight‑training roles. Powered by two fuel‑efficient Lycoming IO‑540 engines delivering 260 hp each, the aircraft offers a cruising speed of around 200 knots, a range of roughly 1 200 nautical miles and a service ceiling of 25 000 feet, making it suitable for cross‑country missions and high‑altitude operations. Its retractable tricycle landing gear, fully faired wing design and durable carbon‑steel alloy components contributed to low drag and reduced operating costs, while the cockpit features conventional dual‑control instrumentation that can be upgraded to modern glass‑panel avionics. Over 400 Senecas were built before production ended in 1996, and the type remains popular with private owners, charter operators and flight schools worldwide. The EMB‑810 demonstrated Embraer’s capability to produce reliable, cost‑effective aircraft for the global market, paving the way for later successful models such as the Phenom and Legacy jet families.