Eclipse 550

550
Eclipse 550
Role Very light jet
National origin United States
Manufacturer Eclipse Aerospace
One Aviation
Status In production (April 2015)
Produced March 2013-present
Number built 6 (April 2014)[1]
Unit cost
US$2.9M (2014)
Developed from Eclipse 500

The Eclipse 550 is a development version of the Eclipse 500 initially built by Eclipse Aerospace and now One Aviation of Albuquerque, New Mexico, United States. Like the 500, the 550 is a low-wing, six seat, twin jet-engined aircraft. [2] The Eclipse 550 is certified for single-pilot operation.

The aircraft was announced at the National Business Aviation Association convention in Las Vegas, Nevada in October 2011. The first example was rolled out in March 2013 and the first customer delivery was on 22 October 2013.[2][3][4][5]

Design and development

The 550 was developed from the earlier Eclipse 500, enabled by Sikorsky Aircraft's investment in Eclipse Aerospace in 2010. It retains the 500's airframe and PW610F engines, but incorporates an improved avionics package, including satellite phones, autothrottles, synthetic vision and enhanced vision systems, as well as anti-skid brakes.[2][3]

In May 2012 the company signed a deal with Sikorsky subsidiary PZL Mielec to have the Polish company build the Eclipse 550 fuselage, empennage and wings, while final aircraft assembly will be carried out by Eclipse Aerospace at their Albuquerque, New Mexico plant.[2][6][7]

The initial price for the 550 is US$2.695M and production is intended to be 50-100 aircraft per year.[2] The aircraft achieved an FAA production certificate in April 2012.[8]

In June 2013 the FAA approved the Eclipse 550 for a fatigue limit of 20,000 hours or 20,000 cycles with an unlimited calendar life.[9] In August 2013 it was announced that the aircraft would incorporate autothrottles, new EFIS software, an anti-lock braking system and a high-resolution 3.25" x 4.3" display standby display.[10]

In February 2014 the FAA approved autothrottles and anti-skid brakes for the 550. The manufacturer claims the new braking system will stop the aircraft in 700 ft (213 m) from normal landing speeds.[11]

The first customer delivery of a 550 was completed on 12 March 2014,[12] and 10 had been delivered by August. However, sales had been slow, and employees were laid off.[13]

Operational history

In 2013, Eclipse planned to submit the 550 for the USAF's very light jet requirement, even though that requirement specified FAR Part 25 certification and the 550 is certified to the less-stringent Part 23.[14]

Specifications (550)

Data from Company website [15]

General characteristics

Performance

Avionics


References

  1. ↑ Durden, Rick. "Eclipse Delivers at Sun 'n Fun - AVweb flash Article". Avweb. Retrieved 2014-04-03.
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 2.4 Niles, Russ (October 2011). "Eclipse To Resume Production". AvWeb. Retrieved 11 October 2011.
  3. ↑ 3.0 3.1 Niles, Russ (19 March 2013). "New Eclipse Powers Up". AVweb. Retrieved 21 March 2013.
  4. ↑ Grady, Mary (24 September 2013). "New Eclipse Jet To Debut At NBAA - AVweb flash Article". Avweb. Retrieved 26 September 2013.
  5. ↑ Pew, Glenn (23 October 2013). "Video: Eclipse 550 First Delivery at NBAA 2013 in Las Vegas". AVweb. Retrieved 23 October 2013.
  6. ↑ Niles, Russ (October 2011). "Podcast: Orders Being Taken for New Eclipses". AvWeb. Retrieved 11 October 2011.
  7. ↑ Niles, Russ (16 May 2012). "Eclipse, Sikorsky Sign Airframe Deal". AVweb. Retrieved 15 May 2012.
  8. ↑ Pew, Glenn (25 April 2012). "Eclipse Earns Production Certificate". AVweb. Retrieved 26 April 2012.
  9. ↑ Grady, Mary (12 June 2013). "Eclipse Jet OK'd For Longer Life". AVweb. Retrieved 13 June 2013.
  10. ↑ Pew, Glenn. "Eclipse Adds Upgrades And One 'First' - AVweb flash Article". Avweb.com. Retrieved 2013-08-19.
  11. ↑ Grady, Mary (11 February 2014). "FAA OKs Eclipse Upgrades". AVweb. Retrieved 14 February 2014.
  12. ↑ Grady, Mary (12 March 2014). "Eclipse Delivers First E550 Jet". AVweb. Retrieved 15 March 2014.
  13. ↑ Finfrock, Rob. "Eclipse Blames Layoffs on Sluggish VLJ Sales " AINonline, 19 August 2014. Accessed: 4 September 2014.
  14. ↑ "Eclipse Responds To USAF Request for Very Light Jets."
  15. ↑ Eclipse Aerospace (May 2012). "The Eclipse 550 Jet". Retrieved 3 May 2012.
  16. ↑ "First New-Build Eclipse 550 to Appear at NBAA Show". Flying magazine. 26 September 2013.

External links