Eclipse's Mason Holland Comments And Asserts That Fix Is Already Underway

The establishment of an AD on the Eclipse for a known problem with high-altitude operations appears to have been undertaken even though the problem is both known as well as in the process of being fixed.

Eclipse's Mason Holland
and ANN's Jim Campbell

ANN checked with Eclipse Boss Mason Holland and got his input after the rumor of the pending AD leaked out -- an AD, that we're told was also opposed by Pratt & Whitney and Transport Canada.

"P&WC and EAI are in the final stages of completing a new combustion liner for the engine to solve the problem and return the EA-500 back to 41,000 feet. We expect that fix to be on the market approximately 60 days. Due to the data we gathered for P&WC on the isolated engine surge events, P&WC, EAI and Transport Canada collectively agreed that the current 37,000 foot AD restriction be revised to include a time limit when flying above 30,000 feet.

The data supports that carbon builds up in no appreciable amounts on any flight above 30,000 feet until the plane has been in that environment for over 85 minutes. However, based on the data we provided to the SW ACO, both manufacturers, P&WC and EAI, believe the AD ultimately issued today is to restrictive, is not supported by data, and we are seeking a correction before it goes into effect in ten days."

FMI: www.eclipseaerospace.net