Not including the now retired N500EA, the certification and test effort will include seven airframes, more than 3,000 flight test hours and several hundred ground test hours. The test fleet will comprise:
* N502EA. Certification flight test with a focus on aerodynamics. Expected to join programme by early February.
* N503EA. Certification flight test with a focus on mechanical system. First into flight test.
* N504EA. Certification flight test with a focus on "Avio" avionics and autopilot. Will join flight test programme in late February.
* N505EA. First "Beta" function and reliability test aircraft. Will join programme by end of April.
* N506EA. Second "Beta" function and reliability test aircraft. Will join programme by end of April.
* Static test aircraft. To be completed after N502EA at end of January for shipment to test rig in San Antonio, Texas. Due to run from February to May.
* Fatigue test aircraft. Set for completion in May and expected to follow static aircraft on Texas rig for completion around July.
Source: Flight International
