Eclipse Aviation News
SpeedNews
February 17, 2006
Eclipse Lands Collier Trophy
Eclipse Aviation has announced that it has won the 2005 Robert J. Collier Trophy "for the greatest achievement in aeronautics or astronautics in America." The 95 year-old trophy, aviation's most prestigious award, will be presented to the company "for leadership, innovation, and the advancement of general aviation" in the production of very light jets, specifically, the Eclipse 500.
Eclipse joins past winners of the trophy including Orville Wright, Howard Hughes, Chuck Yeager, Scott Crossfield, the crew of Apollo 11, and SpaceShipOne. The award is administered by the National Aeronautic Association (NAA).
Eclipse has been applying innovations created in the technology industry to drive down cost, increase performance, improve safety, and spur a new type of air travel-the air taxi. Innovations to the Eclipse 500 including friction stir welding, the PhostrEx fire suppression system, electromechanical actuators and digital electronics with integrated software.
Eclipse says its five Eclipse 500 test aircraft have now logged >1,000 flight hours (>750 flights), and certification is expected in mid-2006. Almost 2,400 Eclipse 500s are on order.
The award presentation will be Monday, May 15, at the Ronald Reagan Building in Washington, D.C.
Eclipse joins past winners of the trophy including Orville Wright, Howard Hughes, Chuck Yeager, Scott Crossfield, the crew of Apollo 11, and SpaceShipOne. The award is administered by the National Aeronautic Association (NAA).
Eclipse has been applying innovations created in the technology industry to drive down cost, increase performance, improve safety, and spur a new type of air travel-the air taxi. Innovations to the Eclipse 500 including friction stir welding, the PhostrEx fire suppression system, electromechanical actuators and digital electronics with integrated software.
Eclipse says its five Eclipse 500 test aircraft have now logged >1,000 flight hours (>750 flights), and certification is expected in mid-2006. Almost 2,400 Eclipse 500s are on order.
The award presentation will be Monday, May 15, at the Ronald Reagan Building in Washington, D.C.