Eclipse 550
| 550 | |
|---|---|
| 300px | |
| 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]
Contents
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 in 2011 was US$2.695M and production was intended at that time 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" 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]
One Aviation received EASA certification for its Eclipse 550 on 18 November 2015, clearing the way for sales of the light twinjet in the European Union and its use for air-taxi service there. The company has deposits from half a dozen European customers awaiting delivery pending certification. Deliveries will begin in January 2016, according to Cary Winter, One Aviation’s executive vice president. The only changes required from U.S. production models are to “paint a couple of switches red and change the connector on the door switch,” he said.[14]
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.[15]
Specifications (550)
Data from Company website [16]
General characteristics
- Crew: 1 or 2[17]
- Capacity: 4-5 passengers
- Length: 33 ft 6 in (10.21 m)
- Wingspan: 37 ft 9 in (11.51 m)
- Height: 11 ft (3.4 m)
- Empty weight: 3,634 lb (1,648 kg)
- Gross weight: 6,035 lb (2,737 kg)
- Max takeoff weight: 6,000 lb (2,722 kg)
- Fuel capacity: 251 gal
- Powerplant: 2 × Pratt & Whitney Canada PW610F Turbine, 900 lbf (4.0 kN) thrust each
Performance
- Maximum speed: 432 mph; 694 km/h (375 kn)
- Cruise speed: 430 mph (374 kn; 692 km/h)
- Range: 1,295 mi; 2,084 km (1,125 nmi)
- Service ceiling: 41,000 ft (12,497 m)
- Rate of climb: 3,456 ft/min (17.56 m/s)
Avionics
- Autothrottles
- Automatic Direction Finder (ADF)
- Avio dual Integrated Flight Management Systems
- Distance Measuring Equipment (DME)
- Enhanced vision system
- Radar Altimeter
- Stormscope
- Synthetic vision
- Terrain awareness and warning system
- Traffic collision avoidance system
- Weather radar
References
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- ↑ Finfrock, Rob. "Eclipse Blames Layoffs on Sluggish VLJ Sales " AINonline, 19 August 2014. Accessed: 4 September 2014.
- ↑ [1]" AINonline, November 18, 2015. Accessed: November 21, 2015
- ↑ "Eclipse Responds To USAF Request for Very Light Jets."
- ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
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