Manufacturer strengthens team as flight testing of very light jet slips behind schedule
Eclipse Aviation is adding resources to flight testing of its Eclipse 500 very light jet in a bid to recover a schedule slip of about 40 days. One of two “beta test” aircraft intended for function and reliability flying will be reassigned to certification testing, and the flight-test department has been strengthened, says chief executive Vern Raburn.
With certification still planned for the end of March next year, flight testing is behind schedule, passing the 200h mark late last month. But with three certification test aircraft and one beta test Eclipse 500 now flying, “you can expect to see that number grow almost geometrically”, says Raburn. “We’ve started to fly at a pretty healthy rate.”
The aircraft has achieved its service ceiling of 41,000ft (12,500m) and maximum operating speed of 285kt (527km/h). Flutter clearance is complete, says Raburn.
Stall testing, originally conducted in 2003 with the first Eclipse 500 to be built, is now being repeated with the re-engined, certification-standard aircraft.
To recover the delay, one of the beta aircraft intended for service-ready testing will be assigned to certification flying for four to five months, and Albuquerque, New Mexico-based Eclipse has added four test pilots. “We got to the point where we have more aircraft that pilots. We’ve solved that,” says Raburn.
The company has also brought in pilots with experience running air transport and military flight-test programmes in an effort to drive the schedule more effectively.
GRAHAM WARWICK/WASHINGTON DC
Source: Flight International