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Fourth Eclipse 500 Joins FAA Certification Test Fleet as Aircraft N505EA Achieves First Flight
With four FAA-conforming jets in the air and 150 hours on the test fleet, Eclipse widens VLJ market lead
ALBUQUERQUE, NM - July 11, 2005 - Eclipse Aviation Corporation today announced the successful first flight of N505EA, its fourth FAA certification test aircraft and the first of its two beta test jets. As Eclipse's certification program advances, these beta aircraft will be tested under accelerated usage conditions to ensure superior reliability and functionality prior to first customer deliveries.
At 1:44 p.m. (MDT) on July 9, aircraft N505EA, powered by two Pratt & Whitney Canada (P&WC) PW610F turbofan engines, took off from the Albuquerque International Sunport for a flight that lasted 43 minutes. During N505EA's first flight, the pilots climbed the aircraft to 15,000 feet and reached 160 knots. The aircraft completed a majority of the scheduled test points.
“We remain the only VLJ manufacturer with multiple FAA-conforming jets in flight testing,” said Eclipse Aviation president and CEO Vern Raburn. “With four out of five of our flight test aircraft now in the air, we are generating rich data and invaluable learnings every day that will allow us to continue to move aggressively towards FAA certification next year.”
Flight Test Results Underscore Exceptional Eclipse 500 Performance
Eclipse uses progressive testing techniques and a sophisticated telemetry system to generate unusually rich data and comprehensive findings during flight testing. Eclipse's advanced data acquisition system examines more than 4,500 aircraft parameters in real-time and records 5-6 gigabytes of data for analysis. Over the past six months, Eclipse leveraged this system to analyze the performance of the Eclipse 500 as it put the test fleet through its paces ? accumulating 150 flight hours, accelerating to speeds of 230 knots and soaring to heights of 30,000 feet. The test program has proven the Eclipse 500's exceptional handling characteristics and validated the robust aircraft and systems design.
Eclipse is manufacturing seven preproduction aircraft: one static test airframe, one fatigue test airframe and five flight test aircraft. The final flight test aircraft and second beta test jet, N506EA, is in its final assembly position and will join N502EA, N503EA, N504EA and N505EA in the air this summer. Following is a brief update on the progress of each Eclipse 500 currently in certification flight testing:
N502EA
N502EA made its first flight on April 14, 2005 and its flight testing is focused on aerodynamics and structures including: ground vibration, loads, strain measurements, air data calibration (RVSM), flutter, stability and control, stall speed, stall characteristics, cruise, climb and field performance, noise and flights into known icing conditions. N502EA will finish envelope expansion and flutter testing in the next few weeks.
N503EA
N503EA, which has been in flight testing since December 31, 2004, is focusing on flight testing mechanical systems, including Climate Control System (CCS), landing gear, flaps, fuel system, power plant, oxygen system and hot-and cold-weather testing. N503EA made a 2,800 nautical mile round trip to Sun ?n Fun in March.
N504EA
N504EA flew for the first time on April 21, 2005, just one week after N502EA. N504EA is flight testing the avionic and electrical systems including navigation and communications systems, primary flight and multi-function displays, autopilot operation and lighting systems.
N505EA
N505EA, which made its maiden flight two days ago, is also Eclipse's first beta test aircraft. N505EA is fully equipped with mechanical systems including pressurization, climate control and ice protection as well as with Avio Total Aircraft Integration. N505EA is the first of two beta test aircraft that will undergo accelerated usage testing to ensure superior functionality and reliability prior to customer delivery.
About Eclipse Aviation
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 about 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. Contact Eclipse at http://www.eclipseaviation.com.
At 1:44 p.m. (MDT) on July 9, aircraft N505EA, powered by two Pratt & Whitney Canada (P&WC) PW610F turbofan engines, took off from the Albuquerque International Sunport for a flight that lasted 43 minutes. During N505EA's first flight, the pilots climbed the aircraft to 15,000 feet and reached 160 knots. The aircraft completed a majority of the scheduled test points.
“We remain the only VLJ manufacturer with multiple FAA-conforming jets in flight testing,” said Eclipse Aviation president and CEO Vern Raburn. “With four out of five of our flight test aircraft now in the air, we are generating rich data and invaluable learnings every day that will allow us to continue to move aggressively towards FAA certification next year.”
Flight Test Results Underscore Exceptional Eclipse 500 Performance
Eclipse uses progressive testing techniques and a sophisticated telemetry system to generate unusually rich data and comprehensive findings during flight testing. Eclipse's advanced data acquisition system examines more than 4,500 aircraft parameters in real-time and records 5-6 gigabytes of data for analysis. Over the past six months, Eclipse leveraged this system to analyze the performance of the Eclipse 500 as it put the test fleet through its paces ? accumulating 150 flight hours, accelerating to speeds of 230 knots and soaring to heights of 30,000 feet. The test program has proven the Eclipse 500's exceptional handling characteristics and validated the robust aircraft and systems design.
Eclipse is manufacturing seven preproduction aircraft: one static test airframe, one fatigue test airframe and five flight test aircraft. The final flight test aircraft and second beta test jet, N506EA, is in its final assembly position and will join N502EA, N503EA, N504EA and N505EA in the air this summer. Following is a brief update on the progress of each Eclipse 500 currently in certification flight testing:
N502EA
N502EA made its first flight on April 14, 2005 and its flight testing is focused on aerodynamics and structures including: ground vibration, loads, strain measurements, air data calibration (RVSM), flutter, stability and control, stall speed, stall characteristics, cruise, climb and field performance, noise and flights into known icing conditions. N502EA will finish envelope expansion and flutter testing in the next few weeks.
N503EA
N503EA, which has been in flight testing since December 31, 2004, is focusing on flight testing mechanical systems, including Climate Control System (CCS), landing gear, flaps, fuel system, power plant, oxygen system and hot-and cold-weather testing. N503EA made a 2,800 nautical mile round trip to Sun ?n Fun in March.
N504EA
N504EA flew for the first time on April 21, 2005, just one week after N502EA. N504EA is flight testing the avionic and electrical systems including navigation and communications systems, primary flight and multi-function displays, autopilot operation and lighting systems.
N505EA
N505EA, which made its maiden flight two days ago, is also Eclipse's first beta test aircraft. N505EA is fully equipped with mechanical systems including pressurization, climate control and ice protection as well as with Avio Total Aircraft Integration. N505EA is the first of two beta test aircraft that will undergo accelerated usage testing to ensure superior functionality and reliability prior to customer delivery.
About Eclipse Aviation
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 about 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. Contact Eclipse at http://www.eclipseaviation.com.
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 third 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.