Eclipse 500 Certification Program Enters New Phase As FAA Authorizes On-Board Testing

Eclipse Aviation has JUST announced that it has received its first Type Inspection Authorization (TIA) from the FAA on the Eclipse 500 very light jet. 

With this TIA, the FAA is authorizing its personnel to begin performing on-board aircraft testing of the Eclipse 500 for certification credit. 

This milestone was achieved because Eclipse demonstrated to the FAA that adequate development testing, analyses and design assurance have been achieved to allow formal entry into FAA certification testing. TIAs are issued when the technical data required for Type Certification have reached a point where it appears the item will meet FAA regulations.

Over the coming months, the FAA will approve a series of TIAs that will allow FAA engineers and test pilots to explore every facet of flying and operating the Eclipse 500. 

"Thanks to the tireless work of the combined Eclipse and FAA team, today we are advancing to the next level of certification testing," said Vern Raburn, president and CEO of Eclipse Aviation. 

"We designed the Eclipse 500 to bring unprecedented value and performance to customers, and it's exciting to be taking a significant step forward in our journey toward certification and first customer deliveries next year."

To secure TIA and ultimately achieve certification, Eclipse Aviation has manufactured six preproduction aircraft, including one static test airframe and five flight test aircraft. Eclipse's flight test fleet has now completed a series of critical testing milestones including flutter and dive testing. 

The Eclipse 500 will be certified in early 2006, with first customer deliveries scheduled to occur shortly after Type Certification.

FMI: www.eclipseaviation.com