Eclipse Aviation News
The company's test aircraft fleet, comprised of seven Eclipse 500 aircraft, is nearing completion. Five test aircraft are now in final assembly positions. Eclipse has finalized all vertical fins and horizontal stabilizers for its entire flight test fleet, including instrumentation and strain gauges. The upper and lower cabin assemblies for the test aircraft, N505EA and N506EA, were recently joined, while aircraft N502EA and N504EA are being instrumented for flight testing. The fuselage for the static test airframe has also been completed. These represent significant steps towards the successful completion of Eclipse's test fleet culminating in FAA certification of the Eclipse 500.
These test aircraft will join N503EA, which entered flight testing on December 31, 2004. Five aircraft will be used in flight testing and two for static and fatigue testing.
Eclipse recently received both PW610F engines for N502EA, the second FAA conforming Eclipse 500 test aircraft. N502EA is slated to enter flight testing in April. Eclipse is now in the process of completing engine installation checks and fitting the nacelles onto N502EA. Total test time for all PW610F engines, including time in the test cell, on the flying test bed and on the Eclipse 500 test aircraft N503EA, has reached 780 hours.
Eclipse also announced that its second friction stir welding gantry is now operational. With an additional 24 inches of “Z” height over the first gantry, the new gantry provides greater flexibility in joining parts. The new gantry also features upgraded software that gives operators improved control of the welding process.
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.