Dubai 2007: Eclipse makes delayed Dubai debut after record flight

One of the most talked about aircraft in the world made a belated debut at the Dubai Airshow yesterday when the revolutionary Eclipse 500 very light jet (VLJ) finally arrived on the static display.

It landed at 21:30 on Sunday night after an epic journey from the US, and finally parked up by the Eclipse chalet at 11 o’clock on Monday morning. The aircraft is believed to have been selected by Dubai Aerospace Enterprises as a training aircraft.

Across the Atlantic, training under Eclipse’s new flight operational quality assurance (FOQA) program will bring unprecedented safety with flight data monitoring capability consistent with the advanced programs used by commercial airline operations (FAR Part 121), says Vern Raburn, president and CEO of Eclipse Aviation. “At Eclipse, challenging general aviation norms and going beyond what’s expected is a daily imperative,” he says.

Training could soon be tailored for the single-engined Eclipse Concept Jet, but the decision whether to develop that aircraft has been pushed from December to early 2008.

Vice president of sales and marketing Michael McConnell is optimistic. “Based on the over 50% commonality with the Eclipse 500, it could be very exciting for our overall production efforts,” he says.

Efforts to produce one or more Eclipse 500s every day continue. Though the line moves more slowly than hoped, after 150 workers were recently laid off, the jet itself has claimed the speed record for VLJs.

The flight from New York to Atlanta is the first serious attempt to dominate the new US National Aeronautic Association category for the fastest jet aircraft weighing 10,000lb or less that was first established this summer. The flight lasted in 1hr 55min 8sec, averaging 341.79kt.

Meanwhile an avionics upgrade for Eclipse 500 should receive FAA certification early in the new year. The Avio NG integrated cockpit will bring functionality to the moving map navigation system, satellite weather and collision and terrain awareness. It is scheduled to begin customer retrofit in the first quarter of 2008.

“We have three aircraft in certification testing now and we will have greater functionality on day one with Avio NG,” says McConnell. “Much of it is required for international operations like in Europe and the Middle East.” In fact, FAA approval to add Basic Area Navigation for the trip to Dubai was the catch that kept the VLJ from a timely arrival.

Source: Flight Daily News