Eclipse Aviation News
“We have now confirmed the Eclipse 500's excellent handling at the high and low end of the operating envelope,” said Eclipse Aviation president and CEO Vern Raburn. “Recently, our flight test program completed the high end and in 2003, we concluded a highly successful N500EA flight test program that opened the lower end of the operating envelope while completing 117 stalls.”
Flight Test Fleet Momentum
The Eclipse 500 test fleet of FAA conforming aircraft has exceeded 200 flight hours, accelerating to speeds of 285 knots and soaring to heights of 41,000 feet. The test program has proven the Eclipse 500's exceptional handling characteristics at high altitudes. Over the coming weeks, Eclipse's test aircraft fleet will complete key certification, function and reliability testing.
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.
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.