Thu, Nov 03, 2005
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.
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