Eclipse Aviation News
Aircraft N504EA took off from the Albuquerque International Sunport at 2:10 p.m. MDT today and completed a one hour test flight. The aircraft, powered by two Pratt & Whitney Canada (P&WC) PW610F turbofan engines, was piloted by test pilots Brian Mathy and Ed Grabman and successfully completed all tests including handling qualities at various flap settings, flap and trim operations, cabin pressurization, avionics, and electrical system testing. The flights were conducted in a designated test zone located south of Albuquerque, New Mexico. Aircraft N503EA flew as chase plane for today's flight.
During its first flight, N504EA reached 16,800 feet and accelerated to 170 knots. N504EA flight testing will primarily focus on the electrical system, displays, communication and navigation system, auto-pilot system, the radar and the datalink systems. Like Eclipse's first two flight test aircraft, N504EA is fully equipped with mechanical systems including pressurization, climate control and ice protection as well as the Avio Total Aircraft Integration system.
The Eclipse 500 test fleet has amassed more than 40 flight test hours since April 1, as the pace of testing continues to accelerate. The flight envelope has been expanded to 30,000 ft and speeds ranging from 72 to 230 kts. N503EA recently completed a cross country trip to the Sun ‘n Fun Fly-In in Lakeland, Florida.
“The Eclipse team is focused on achieving certification and delivering aircraft to our customers less than a year from now. To fly our third aircraft just a week after the second one entered flight testing is a great achievement and a clear sign of the maturity of the program. I am so proud of all of the hard work that this team has given to this program,” said Eclipse Aviation president and CEO Vern Raburn.
Eclipse 500 Test Aircraft Fleet
Eclipse is manufacturing seven preproduction aircraft: one static test airframe, one fatigue test airframe and five flight test aircraft. The final two flight test aircraft are in final assembly positions and will join N502EA, N503EA and N504EA in the air this summer.
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.