Also Achieves Vd Of 452 Knots - The Max Speed Required For FAA Cert

Eclipse Aviation tells ANN that Eclipse president and CEO Vern Raburn piloted Eclipse 500 flight test aircraft N506EA 1,300 nautical miles (just under 1,500 statute miles) to this year's AOPA Expo in Tampa, Florida.

Eclipse also revealed that test aircraft N502EA recently achieved a flight test milestone by reaching VD at 452 knots true airspeed (KTAS). VD testing pushes an aircraft beyond its maximum speed to test its structural stability under excessive speed conditions. At 452 KTAS, the Eclipse 500 exceeded its redline speed by 16 percent and achieved the maximum speed required for FAA certification, which equals 330 knots indicated air speed (KIAS)).

"This aircraft is a complete pleasure to fly," commented Raburn after landing the jet in Tampa yesterday. "We are very happy that our flight test progress has allowed us to start showing the jet to more people, and our most recent accomplishment of achieving VD without any flutter or aerodynamic challenges reflects our rapid advancement towards the delivery of a robust and structurally sound jet. VLJs are playing an instrumental role in revitalizing general aviation, and this week I look forward to giving AOPA attendees the opportunity to spend some quality time with the VLJ that started it all."

Raburn took off in aircraft N506EA from Albuquerque International Sunport yesterday and flew the Eclipse 500 at 33,000 feet to Tampa. Accompanied by Chief Test Pilot and Director of Flight Operations Dennis O'Donoghue, Raburn landed the FAA-conforming Eclipse 500 at Peter O. Night airport in Tampa. N506EA will be on display as part of the AOPA Expo Static Display today through November 5.

Eclipse's flight test fleet of five FAA-conforming aircraft has now amassed over 675 total flight hours while reaching VD (the maximum speed required for certification) of 330 KIAS and Md (the maximum Mach number required for certification) of 0.725m. The Eclipse 500 is powered by two Pratt & Whitney Canada engines with 900 pounds of thrust each.

N506EA has been in flight test since late August, and is being used extensively for function and reliability testing. Following AOPA, N506EA will fly to Orlando, Florida for the NBAA Annual Meeting and Convention, which will be held from November 9-11. From mid-late November, the jet will travel to Atlanta, Memphis, Dallas, Austin and San Antonio as the centerpiece of Eclipse's first national sales tour.

FMI: www.eclipseaviation.com