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Eclipse Aviation Assembles World Class Supplier Team for Avio Total Aircraft Integration
Eclipse 500 jet features unprecedented level of integration and safety in general aviation aircraft
ALBUQUERQUE, NM - January 28, 2004 - Eclipse Aviation Corporation, manufacturer of the Eclipse 500 jet, today announced that it has signed long-term contracts with a team of world class suppliers for its Avio system. Autronics, Crossbow Technology, FreeFlight Systems, Harco Laboratories, Hispano-Suiza and Meggitt Avionics have been added to the Avio supplier team.
Avio, developed by Eclipse in partnership with its team of suppliers, delivers a level of integration and safety that has previously been available only in advanced military aircraft and commercial airliners. This Total Aircraft Integration is delivered through integral, redundant computer systems and an advanced power distribution system, which monitor and control all aspects of the aircraft from engine controls to avionics to fuel system management to cabin reading lights. Avio is exclusive to the Eclipse 500 jet.
The systems provided by the new suppliers are:
Autronics
-Aircraft Computer System (ACS)
Crossbow Technology
-Attitude and Heading Reference System (AHRS)
FreeFlight Systems
-Global Positioning System (GPS) with Wide Area Augmentation System (WAAS) capability
Harco Laboratories
-Air Data Computer with Reduced Vertical Separation Minimums (RVSM) capability
Hispano-Suiza
-Full Authority Digital Engine Controls (FADECs)
Meggitt Avionics
-Digital Autopilot
“Avio's capabilities, what we term Total Aircraft Integration, are much more than cockpit integration. Only Avio provides the pilot with fully-integrated electronic control of major aircraft systems, not just avionics. This Total Aircraft Integration provides a major step forward in safety and reduced pilot workload,” said Vern Raburn, president and CEO of Eclipse Aviation. “With the naming of these new partners, Eclipse continues our leadership role in building an aircraft that increases ease of operation and, in turn, safety. Our strategy is to seek out the best of the best, so that Eclipse customers can have one of the most advanced aircraft in the world at a cost of $950,000.”
The new suppliers join existing Avio partners Avidyne and General Dynamics and replace components previously contracted to BAE Systems.
“These new partners offer the most advanced components on the market today,” said Don Burtis, vice president of Avionics and Electronics at Eclipse Aviation. “They are on the forefront of technological innovation and are known leaders in digital avionics. We are pleased that these suppliers share our vision to dramatically improve the value proposition of private jets and have committed to manufacture the most advanced products at very low costs.”
Together with Avidyne and General Dynamics, these six new suppliers provide the major building blocks of Avio. Avidyne provides the pilot interface to Avio, including the dual Primary Flight Displays and Multi Function Display, keyboard, autopilot control panel, and navigation and communication radios. General Dynamics provides the power distribution system, as well as the starter generator.
Additionally, Avio's integration spans virtually all other Eclipse 500 systems including the trim motors, flap actuators, landing gear, climate control, lighting, trim, cabin pressurization control, fuel and ice protection. Extremely accurate and reliable proximity switches are also features of Avio; they are used throughout the Eclipse 500, replacing most of the traditional micro switches.
Fact Sheet
Autronics, a Curtis-Wright Company, will manufacture the aircraft computer system. Autronics has over 45 years of successful experience within the military and commercial aviation marketplace, and continues to deliver high technology products and systems in the spirit and tradition of the Curtiss-Wright founders, Glenn Curtiss and Orville & Wilbur Wright. Autronics is engaged in the business of developing, designing and certifying aircraft electronic components and systems using processor based designs with advanced software/algorithms.
Crossbow Technology, which develops, manufacturers and markets a broad range of inertial sensors including gyros, accelerometers, tilt and magnetic sensors, has contracted to supply the Attitude and Heading Reference System (AHRS). Crossbow is the leading supplier of MEMS-based vertical gyros and AHRS for land, marine, and aviation applications.
FreeFlight Systems produces the finest navigation systems available for business and commuter aircraft. In 2001, FreeFlight Systems acquired the Business and Commuter Aircraft Products business from Trimble Navigation, and continues to build upon its excellence. FreeFlight will manufacture the Wide Area Augmentation (WAAS) capable Global Positioning System (GPS) receiver for the Eclipse 500.
Harco Laboratories, who had already been commissioned to supply the pitot and static system, is now going to also supply the Reduced Vertical Separation Minimums (RVSM) capable air data computer for the Eclipse 500. Harco is a leading supplier of custom designed sensors, cable assemblies and advanced components for the most demanding industrial and aerospace applications. Harco's on-going development program is closely tied to over fifty years of application experience.
Hispano-Suiza Canada, a division of Hispano-Suiza, is one of today's leading manufacturers of power transmissions and control systems for aircraft engines. They design, develop, produce and market a line of innovative, integrated systems for civil and military airplanes and helicopters. The Eclipse 500 will benefit from the Hispano-Suiza Full Authority Digital Engine Control (FADEC) system. FADECs produced by Hispano-Suiza have logged more than 80 million hours of operation.
Meggitt designs and manufacturers innovative high integrity systems and components for the aerospace, defense and electronics markets worldwide. The Meggitt Avionics autopilot company in Mineral Wells, Texas has over 25 years of experience designing and manufacturing General Aviation autopilots. The Flight Guidance System being designed for the Eclipse 500 will bring revolutionary “Smart” brushless motor servo technology to the aircraft, building from the company's established digital autopilot expertise.
Avio, developed by Eclipse in partnership with its team of suppliers, delivers a level of integration and safety that has previously been available only in advanced military aircraft and commercial airliners. This Total Aircraft Integration is delivered through integral, redundant computer systems and an advanced power distribution system, which monitor and control all aspects of the aircraft from engine controls to avionics to fuel system management to cabin reading lights. Avio is exclusive to the Eclipse 500 jet.
The systems provided by the new suppliers are:
Autronics
-Aircraft Computer System (ACS)
Crossbow Technology
-Attitude and Heading Reference System (AHRS)
FreeFlight Systems
-Global Positioning System (GPS) with Wide Area Augmentation System (WAAS) capability
Harco Laboratories
-Air Data Computer with Reduced Vertical Separation Minimums (RVSM) capability
Hispano-Suiza
-Full Authority Digital Engine Controls (FADECs)
Meggitt Avionics
-Digital Autopilot
“Avio's capabilities, what we term Total Aircraft Integration, are much more than cockpit integration. Only Avio provides the pilot with fully-integrated electronic control of major aircraft systems, not just avionics. This Total Aircraft Integration provides a major step forward in safety and reduced pilot workload,” said Vern Raburn, president and CEO of Eclipse Aviation. “With the naming of these new partners, Eclipse continues our leadership role in building an aircraft that increases ease of operation and, in turn, safety. Our strategy is to seek out the best of the best, so that Eclipse customers can have one of the most advanced aircraft in the world at a cost of $950,000.”
The new suppliers join existing Avio partners Avidyne and General Dynamics and replace components previously contracted to BAE Systems.
“These new partners offer the most advanced components on the market today,” said Don Burtis, vice president of Avionics and Electronics at Eclipse Aviation. “They are on the forefront of technological innovation and are known leaders in digital avionics. We are pleased that these suppliers share our vision to dramatically improve the value proposition of private jets and have committed to manufacture the most advanced products at very low costs.”
Together with Avidyne and General Dynamics, these six new suppliers provide the major building blocks of Avio. Avidyne provides the pilot interface to Avio, including the dual Primary Flight Displays and Multi Function Display, keyboard, autopilot control panel, and navigation and communication radios. General Dynamics provides the power distribution system, as well as the starter generator.
Additionally, Avio's integration spans virtually all other Eclipse 500 systems including the trim motors, flap actuators, landing gear, climate control, lighting, trim, cabin pressurization control, fuel and ice protection. Extremely accurate and reliable proximity switches are also features of Avio; they are used throughout the Eclipse 500, replacing most of the traditional micro switches.
Fact Sheet
Autronics, a Curtis-Wright Company, will manufacture the aircraft computer system. Autronics has over 45 years of successful experience within the military and commercial aviation marketplace, and continues to deliver high technology products and systems in the spirit and tradition of the Curtiss-Wright founders, Glenn Curtiss and Orville & Wilbur Wright. Autronics is engaged in the business of developing, designing and certifying aircraft electronic components and systems using processor based designs with advanced software/algorithms.
Crossbow Technology, which develops, manufacturers and markets a broad range of inertial sensors including gyros, accelerometers, tilt and magnetic sensors, has contracted to supply the Attitude and Heading Reference System (AHRS). Crossbow is the leading supplier of MEMS-based vertical gyros and AHRS for land, marine, and aviation applications.
FreeFlight Systems produces the finest navigation systems available for business and commuter aircraft. In 2001, FreeFlight Systems acquired the Business and Commuter Aircraft Products business from Trimble Navigation, and continues to build upon its excellence. FreeFlight will manufacture the Wide Area Augmentation (WAAS) capable Global Positioning System (GPS) receiver for the Eclipse 500.
Harco Laboratories, who had already been commissioned to supply the pitot and static system, is now going to also supply the Reduced Vertical Separation Minimums (RVSM) capable air data computer for the Eclipse 500. Harco is a leading supplier of custom designed sensors, cable assemblies and advanced components for the most demanding industrial and aerospace applications. Harco's on-going development program is closely tied to over fifty years of application experience.
Hispano-Suiza Canada, a division of Hispano-Suiza, is one of today's leading manufacturers of power transmissions and control systems for aircraft engines. They design, develop, produce and market a line of innovative, integrated systems for civil and military airplanes and helicopters. The Eclipse 500 will benefit from the Hispano-Suiza Full Authority Digital Engine Control (FADEC) system. FADECs produced by Hispano-Suiza have logged more than 80 million hours of operation.
Meggitt designs and manufacturers innovative high integrity systems and components for the aerospace, defense and electronics markets worldwide. The Meggitt Avionics autopilot company in Mineral Wells, Texas has over 25 years of experience designing and manufacturing General Aviation autopilots. The Flight Guidance System being designed for the Eclipse 500 will bring revolutionary “Smart” brushless motor servo technology to the aircraft, building from the company's established digital autopilot expertise.
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.