2005 Year-End ReportThe Eclipse 500 flight test and certification program began a year ago when our first PW610F-powered aircraft made its maiden flight. Today, we have five aircraft in active flight testing and have successfully completed static airframe structure testing. In 2005, the test fleet flew over 650 flights, and logged more than 850 flight hours. In March 2004, we published a Progress Timeline that included all of the tasks related to certification of the Eclipse 500. This Timeline provides visibility of our progress as measured against our scheduled completion of each task. In 2005, there were 106 tasks scheduled for completion. Of these, we completed twenty-six on or ahead of schedule; sixty-eight were completed but late; and twelve tasks have been rescheduled into 2006. Early delays in flight testing put our progress about 90 days behind schedule in August, but we recovered two months of that by the end of November. By year’s end, we successfully completed the first 10 of 69 certification flight tests. These tests include: We have also completed development testing of several critical flight tests to ensure that certification testing will be successful on the first attempt. These include: Air data development flight tests complete Flight controls development flight tests complete Electrical systems development flight tests complete Pressurization development flight tests complete
Additionally, Pratt & Whitney Canada’s development of the PW610F turbofan has achieved several significant milestones: Engine inlet icing tests complete Engine bird ingestion tests complete Engine fan blade separation tests complete Engine shaft shear tests complete Type design engines delivered, installed, and flying on three aircraft
Supply Chain issues caused several different delays in the production of the last three flight test aircraft, and the interior and seat development efforts. Most of that schedule loss has been recovered, one exception being certification of the seats, but development testing of the seats has been completed which ensures the cert testing will be successful. All Supply Chain tasks scheduled in 2005 to support FAA certification have been completed. However, we have incurred a delay in our certification schedule due to suppliers not making sufficient progress. Our revised certification schedule date is now set for late in the second quarter of 2006. All manufacturing tasks scheduled in 2005 required to support FAA Certification have been completed. We have begun construction of the dedicated paint facility and a primary assembly facility. All training tasks scheduled for 2005 have been completed. The focus of our training efforts is now on formal pilot type transition training execution. In summary, the Eclipse 500 test and Certification program has had many successes, many challenges that are inherent in any development program, as well as some obstacles that took more time than we would have liked to overcome. But our rating of the program today is very positive. The Certification delay is unfortunate, but our mitigation process is in place and we are confident of a successful Certification program. In line with our strategy to provide the most valuable ownership experience, in 2005 Eclipse announced JetCompleteTM, a revolutionary customer care program that combines operational support and aircraft maintenance into one complete offering. The program provides virtually everything customers will need to operate and maintain their Eclipse 500 jet at a fixed, guaranteed price. Eclipse also unveiled PhostrExTM, a breakthrough fire suppression system that replaces Halon on the Eclipse 500. The PhostrEx system has been proven more effective, and is environmentally friendly, lighter weight, and less expensive than Halon systems. Eclipse took orders and deposits for 258 Eclipse 500 jets in 2005, 164 to owner-operators and 94 to fleet customers. Our proudest accomplishment has been the performance of the Eclipse 500 jet. The aircraft is a thrill to fly and is demonstrating excellent reliability. Eclipse 500 jets have made several cross-country flights, and one of the test aircraft is engaged in a national tour. On that tour, the aircraft has performed over 80 flights, demonstrating 98% reliability. We are even more confident that the Eclipse 500 will be one of the most satisfying aircrafts to own and operate. As we enter 2006, with FAA Certification of the Eclipse 500 our first priority, the company is committed to delivering the most innovative and exciting jet to enter the aviation industry in decades. Regards, Vern Raburn
CEO Eclipse Aviation |