KATE SARSFIELD / LONDON
Personal jet maker says engine fails to live up to promise
Eclipse Aviation has dropped Williams International as engine supplier for its Eclipse 500 personal jet, blaming the powerplant specialist for failing to meet its contractual obligations and falling behind schedule in the development of its 770lb-thrust (3.4kN) EJ22 turbofan. Eclipse says it is in negotations with two engine suppliers and plans to make its selection by the end of the month.
A possible contender is the Agilis TF-1000, developed as a purpose-built alternative to the FJ/EJ22. However, most observers believe Agilis would need significant backing from a larger partner or investor. The Florida-based engine company plans to fly its first engine late next year, despite recently losing the Safire Aircraft S-26 as launch customer.
Another, more unlikely, contender could be Japanese automotive giant Honda. It recently began flight testing a new, experimental lightweight turbofan on a Cessna Citation testbed at Atlantic Aero in Greensboro, North Carolina. Virtually all other known light jet programmes are considered too powerful for the Eclipse.
The decision to ditch Williams was not unexpected. Eclipse president Vern Raburn recently revealed that there were problems with the engine.
There will now be a significant delay in the Eclipse 500 certification programme, although Albuquerque, New Mexico-based Eclipse will not disclose the extent. Raburn says: "The Eclipse 500 was originally scheduled to receive Federal Aviation Administration certification in the last quarter of 2004, but until we complete our detailed plans and select the new propulsion source, it is still too early to identify specific timing."
Eclipse says following flight testing in August, the EJ22 was found to be "highly immature" and adds that Williams' plan to resolve the issues with improved EJ22 engines offering higher power and improved efficiency, did not materialise.
Raburn says: "We've built the aircraft and all other systems are ready, including the avionics and mechanical systems." He adds: "At this point, the engine development programme will drive certification timing, and the propulsion system will be our team's primary focus."
Williams says it "has met all of its contractual obligations," but admits it has faced "a number of challenges".
Additional reporting by Guy Norris in Los Angeles
Source: Flight International
