Mon, Jul 23, 2007
Yes... There IS A Single Engine Eclipse... Proof Of
Concept
We've been waiting for a while to break this... but ANN readers
will be pleased to know that they are the FIRST to see the amazing
pictures we took of the first flight of an experimental 'proof of
concept' Eclipse single engine jet.
Using an extensive amount of Eclipse componentry, the flawless
70 minute, July 2nd flight was photographed by ANN and
documented in video by our Aero-TV staff.
The first flight was conducted by veteran test pilot, Terry
Tomeny, who was first pitched on this idea just a few months before
at the company Christmas Party by Vern Raburn, himself.
Just a little over 200 days later, in a magnificent effort of
intense prototyping and development, the Eclipse Concept Jet (ECJ)
was born.
Mind you, we can't say much yet... as the bird has continued to
fly over the last few weeks to compile nearly 30 hours before
landing late Sunday at Wittman Field, where it was unveiled at
Eclipse's opening press event... but the plans are to see if the
bird can hit targets of 345 knots, 41,000 feet and a range in
excess of 1250 nm... so far, early test results look promising and
Raburn was all smiles after logging his first bit of flight time in
the bird yesterday.
In fact, it was Raburn in the left seat when he landed on Runway
9 at Wittman Field at approximately 2000 CDT.
ANN will have more information and detail on our site, later
today. One of our first Aero-TV presentations on the ECJ is
available now on the Aero-TV Beta Site.
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