Eclipse Aviation News

Eclipse Aviation, manufacturer of the Eclipse 500 very light jet (VLJ), announced the Eclipse 500 test fleet passed the 1,000 flight hour mark in January as it accelerates toward FAA certification and first customer deliveries this year.

In addition to logging more than 1,000 flight hours, Eclipse's five test jets have achieved a series of critical testing milestones that highlight the innovative jet's design, reliability and performance. "Six years ago, we pioneered the VLJ category with a vision to change air travel, and it's incredibly rewarding to move even closer to our goal of bringing the world's first VU to market this summer," said Vem Raburn, president and CEO of Eclipse Aviation.

The Eclipse 500 test fleet is comprised of seven aircraft, including five flying aircraft, one static test airframe and one fatigue airframe. The static airframe successfully completed certification static testing in September 2005. Eclipse's five flying aircraft now have amassed more than 1,000 flight hours in more than 750 flights. Each of the company's flight test jets has achieved a series of milestones in a focused area of testing, including N504EA, the avionics and electronics certification test aircraft. This aircraft has completed testing for avionics development, powerplant drainage, smoke clearing, and the interior and exterior lighting system. N504EA also will be used to certify the communicationshavigation system, the flight management system and the autopilot.

Eclipse Aviation is in the business of designing, certifying and producing modem, affordable jet aircraft, and is applying advanced electronics systems, manufacturing and business practices to produce aircraft expected to cost about a third of today's small jet aircraft. For more information, visit Eclipse at www.eclipseaviation.com.