Eclipse Aviation unveiled a mock-up of its refined Eclipse 500 personal jet at the show, but has also announced a slip in the aircraft's development schedule.
Aircraft restructuring, which includes a windscreen redesign, vertical tail reshape, horizontal tail enlargement and moving the engines forward, delays the first flight by one month. Production of two further flying prototypes and two structural test articles slips by six months. US certification also moves six months to December 2003 and the first delivery by five months to January 2004 (Flight International, 24-30 July).
Eclipse president and chief executive Vern Raeburn admits that although the company has amassed a two-year order backlog for the twin-engined aircraft totalling $120 million, investor interest in the programme has waned. He says: "We are confident that the rest of the capital will become available once we have completed the first flight."
Meanwhile, Eclipse has selected Argo-Tech to design, certificate and supply the 500's fuel system at its Costa Mesa, California, base.
Source: Flight International
