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Eclipse Aviation Corporation Announces the Avio Intelligent Flight System for Eclipse 500 Jets
First in series of disclosures about Avio focuses on electronics architecture of Eclipse 500 aircraft
ALBUQUERQUE, NM - July 15, 2002 - Eclipse Aviation Corporation today disclosed information on its Avio™ intelligent flight system. Avio is a comprehensive avionics and aircraft systems management package that delivers a higher level of integration and reliability than any business or commercial aircraft today. Avio is available exclusively on the Eclipse 500, as part of the aircraft's breakthrough $837,500 price.
Avio takes advantage of today's digital electronics technology to place “intelligence” throughout the airplane, which is controlled by redundant central aircraft computers that monitor and control the aircraft's systems. Avio replaces the dozens of expensive instruments and gauges typically found in today's airplanes with a streamlined glass cockpit that integrates multiple functions and is tied into the electronics systems throughout the aircraft.
“Avio is one of the major innovations that make the low purchase price of the Eclipse 500 possible,” said Vern Raburn, president and CEO of Eclipse Aviation. “Today's announcement just scratches the surface of what Avio will deliver. Avio is pervasive in the Eclipse 500 and will benefit many aspects of aircraft operation. We will unfold the complete story over the months to come.”
Avio's system management provides electronic control of the major systems on the aircraft, including full authority digital engine controls (FADEC), flight management system, communications, autopilot, auto-throttle, flaps, trim, landing gear and environmental systems. Flight controls and brakes are conventional.
Extensive use of data buses allows large volumes of data to be shared among Avio's components. As a result, Avio displays one integrated picture of what the aircraft is doing, instead of many little pieces of information that must be assimilated and correlated by the pilot.
Avio captures health-monitoring data from the Eclipse 500's systems, creating a history of the performance of each system. This allows problems to be potentially identified and fixed well before a system actually breaks.
Because of the high level of redundancy in all subsystems, Avio provides the pilot with knowledge and situational awareness even if an electronic component fails.
All critical functions are duplicated, the components physically separated and powered by separate power buses and sources.
Avio uses electronic circuit breakers almost exclusively, delivering higher reliability and tighter tolerances than traditional mechanical circuit breakers. Extensive use of smart actuators and proximity switches instead of old technology micro switches further enhance Avio's reliability.
As a result of extensive integration, Avio provides an extensive array of features as standard equipment in the $837,500 Eclipse 500 jet. The pilot interface aboard the Eclipse 500 is an all-glass cockpit that comes standard with two primary flight displays (PFD) and one multi-function display (MFD). Dual keyboards control the PFDs and MFD.
Avio Features for Pilots
- Flight Guidance and Control
- Dual 3-axis autopilots
- Flight management system
- Aircraft performance computer
- Auto-throttle
- Situational Awareness
- Weather RADAR
- Traffic information services (TIS)
- Automatic dependent surveillance broadcast ? B (ADS-B)
- Terrain avoidance warning system ? B (TAWS-B)
- Communication and Navigation
- Dual VHF com/nav
- Dual localizer and glidescope
- Dual mode S transponder
- Dual global positioning system (GPS)
- Dual attitude and heading reference system (AHRS) with air data computer
- Active route moving map
- Flight path predictor
- Emergency locator transmitter (ELT)
- VNAV and LNAV
- Data loader
- Operational Capability
- Reduced vertical separation minimums (RVSM) capable
Eclipse will provide enhancements to the Avio system, which can be incorporated easily and inexpensively via software installations, made possible by the open architecture on the Eclipse 500.
Eclipse Aviation developed the Avio system in conjunction with partners, including Avidyne, Corporation, BAE Systems and General Dynamics.
Recent Eclipse News
July 13, 2002 – Eclipse Aviation Unveils Revolutionary Eclipse 500 Jet
An audience of more than 1,500 customers, partners, investors, employees, local and aviation industry executives witnessed the first public viewing of the Eclipse 500 jet on July 13 in Albuquerque, New Mexico. The Eclipse 500 is a six-person twin-engine jet aircraft enabling the creation of new forms of air travel that will provide much-needed alternatives to commercial airlines, ushering in an age where point-to-point private jet travel will be available to everyone at affordable prices.
July 13, 2002 – Eclipse Aviation Corporation Completes Fourth Round of Funding
A fourth round of private equity funding in the amount of $18 million brought Eclipse Aviation Corporation's total amount of capital raised to date to $238 million. In addition to marking another program milestone, this cumulative funding is believed to make Eclipse Aviation the most highly funded aviation startup in history.
Avio takes advantage of today's digital electronics technology to place “intelligence” throughout the airplane, which is controlled by redundant central aircraft computers that monitor and control the aircraft's systems. Avio replaces the dozens of expensive instruments and gauges typically found in today's airplanes with a streamlined glass cockpit that integrates multiple functions and is tied into the electronics systems throughout the aircraft.
“Avio is one of the major innovations that make the low purchase price of the Eclipse 500 possible,” said Vern Raburn, president and CEO of Eclipse Aviation. “Today's announcement just scratches the surface of what Avio will deliver. Avio is pervasive in the Eclipse 500 and will benefit many aspects of aircraft operation. We will unfold the complete story over the months to come.”
Avio's system management provides electronic control of the major systems on the aircraft, including full authority digital engine controls (FADEC), flight management system, communications, autopilot, auto-throttle, flaps, trim, landing gear and environmental systems. Flight controls and brakes are conventional.
Extensive use of data buses allows large volumes of data to be shared among Avio's components. As a result, Avio displays one integrated picture of what the aircraft is doing, instead of many little pieces of information that must be assimilated and correlated by the pilot.
Avio captures health-monitoring data from the Eclipse 500's systems, creating a history of the performance of each system. This allows problems to be potentially identified and fixed well before a system actually breaks.
Because of the high level of redundancy in all subsystems, Avio provides the pilot with knowledge and situational awareness even if an electronic component fails.
All critical functions are duplicated, the components physically separated and powered by separate power buses and sources.
Avio uses electronic circuit breakers almost exclusively, delivering higher reliability and tighter tolerances than traditional mechanical circuit breakers. Extensive use of smart actuators and proximity switches instead of old technology micro switches further enhance Avio's reliability.
As a result of extensive integration, Avio provides an extensive array of features as standard equipment in the $837,500 Eclipse 500 jet. The pilot interface aboard the Eclipse 500 is an all-glass cockpit that comes standard with two primary flight displays (PFD) and one multi-function display (MFD). Dual keyboards control the PFDs and MFD.
Avio Features for Pilots
- Flight Guidance and Control
- Dual 3-axis autopilots
- Flight management system
- Aircraft performance computer
- Auto-throttle
- Situational Awareness
- Weather RADAR
- Traffic information services (TIS)
- Automatic dependent surveillance broadcast ? B (ADS-B)
- Terrain avoidance warning system ? B (TAWS-B)
- Communication and Navigation
- Dual VHF com/nav
- Dual localizer and glidescope
- Dual mode S transponder
- Dual global positioning system (GPS)
- Dual attitude and heading reference system (AHRS) with air data computer
- Active route moving map
- Flight path predictor
- Emergency locator transmitter (ELT)
- VNAV and LNAV
- Data loader
- Operational Capability
- Reduced vertical separation minimums (RVSM) capable
Eclipse will provide enhancements to the Avio system, which can be incorporated easily and inexpensively via software installations, made possible by the open architecture on the Eclipse 500.
Eclipse Aviation developed the Avio system in conjunction with partners, including Avidyne, Corporation, BAE Systems and General Dynamics.
Recent Eclipse News
July 13, 2002 – Eclipse Aviation Unveils Revolutionary Eclipse 500 Jet
An audience of more than 1,500 customers, partners, investors, employees, local and aviation industry executives witnessed the first public viewing of the Eclipse 500 jet on July 13 in Albuquerque, New Mexico. The Eclipse 500 is a six-person twin-engine jet aircraft enabling the creation of new forms of air travel that will provide much-needed alternatives to commercial airlines, ushering in an age where point-to-point private jet travel will be available to everyone at affordable prices.
July 13, 2002 – Eclipse Aviation Corporation Completes Fourth Round of Funding
A fourth round of private equity funding in the amount of $18 million brought Eclipse Aviation Corporation's total amount of capital raised to date to $238 million. In addition to marking another program milestone, this cumulative funding is believed to make Eclipse Aviation the most highly funded aviation startup in history.
About Eclipse:
Eclipse Aviation is in the business of designing, certifying and producing modern, affordable jet aircraft that will revolutionize the transportation market. The company is applying advanced electronics systems, manufacturing and business practices to produce aircraft that cost less than a quarter of today's small jet aircraft, will be significantly safer and easier to operate than those of today, and have the lowest cost of ownership ever achieved in a jet aircraft.
The goal of Eclipse is to bring the word "personal" into aviation, making it possible for commercial air passengers to move directly between cities on a quick, affordable and convenient basis. It will also allow pilot owners to enter the world of jet-powered aviation.