Initial Flight Test Program Complete

Eclipse just announced that it has retired its first test aircraft after successfully completing its aggressive 54-hour test program. The company said, "Testing confirmed that the Eclipse 500 requires no significant redesigns and remains on track for certification in 2006. The Eclipse 500 will set new standards in jet safety, performance and value using today's most innovative digital and manufacturing technologies."

Eclipse used progressive testing techniques and a sophisticated telemetry system to measure and analyze Eclipse 500 performance in 55 flights as well as in extensive ground tests. Eclipse's advanced data acquisition system significantly accelerated the progress of this intense testing program, in which each flight generated actionable data. On every flight, engineers were able to examine more than 600 aircraft parameters in real-time and record 5-6 gigabytes of data for analysis; this represents 10 times more data than traditional aircraft development programs. As a result, Aircraft 100's 55 flights produced a level of information that would normally require 150 to 200 hours of flight testing using conventional limited test procedures and data acquisition equipment.

"This airplane has not only enabled our engineers to validate all of the aerodynamic data that was predicted in the wind tunnel, but has also given us the valuable information we need to start building our certification and production aircraft," said Vern Raburn, president and CEO of Eclipse Aviation. "Testing has proven what we have always known: the Eclipse 500 is poised to completely change the value proposition for jet travel and dramatically improve air transportation in the second century of flight.."

Aircraft 100 Masters Flight Tests

Built on production tooling and equipped with interim engines from Teledyne Continental Motors, Aircraft 100 allowed Eclipse to successfully advance its flight test program while waiting for Pratt & Whitney Canada's PW610F engines, which will be used on the production aircraft. 

Aircraft 100 completed a total of 54 hours of flying time in 55 flights as well as extensive ground testing. The test program included the completion and analysis of 117 stalls with the flaps, landing gear and center of gravity in various positions. Handling qualities were exactly as predicted from wind tunnel testing, and results showed better stall speeds than predicted. Ground vibration and in-flight flutter testing confirmed flutter models and freedom from flutter throughout the tested envelope. The program also included testing and optimization of the braking and steering systems.

In addition to traditional testing of stabilities and stalls, specific tests were conducted for "parameter identification." These tests provided deeper insight into the characteristic behavior of the aircraft and resulted in more accurate extrapolation of the flight envelope that was not explored by Aircraft 100.

Safety has always been the top priority during the aircraft 100 flight test program. This resulted in extensive engineering and investment to support the installation of a pilot emergency egress system and a stall chute.

Eclipse achieved its key objectives for Aircraft 100, which were to complement wind tunnel testing with pilot assessment and engineering analysis of flight handling characteristics and mechanical and avionics system performance. Maneuvers were designed to confirm analytical predictions and identify any areas where redesigns might be warranted. To accomplish this, test pilots concentrated on low-to-medium-speed handling qualities, as well as stall characteristics and speeds. 

Most flights were conducted with weights close to the maximum take-off weight of the production aircraft and at center of gravity positions that correspond to those of the production aircraft.  The majority of testing was completed under 17,500 ft altitude and below 200 knots.

FMI: www.eclipseaviation.com