Eclipse 550

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550
Role Very light jet
National origin United States
Manufacturer Eclipse Aerospace
Status Deliveries forecast to start in 2013
Unit cost US$2.695M (forecast)
Developed from Eclipse 500

The Eclipse 550 is a proposed development version of the Eclipse 500 to be built by Eclipse Aerospace. Like the 500, the 550 will be a low-wing, six seat, twin jet-engined aircraft.

The aircraft was announced at the National Business Aviation Association convention in Las Vegas, Nevada in October 2011. The first example was rolled out in March 2013, with deliveries expected to commence in the fall of 2013.

Design and development [edit]

The 550 is being developed from the earlier Eclipse 500, enabled by Sikorsky Aircraft's investment in Eclipse Aerospace in 2010. It retains the 500's airframe and PW610F engines, but will incorporate an improved avionics package, including satellite phones, autothrottles, synthetic vision and enhanced vision systems, as well as anti-skid brakes.

In May 2012 the company signed a deal with Sikorsky subsidiary PZL Mielec that will see the Polish company build the Eclipse 550 fuselage, empennage and wings, while final aircraft assembly will be carried out by Eclipse Aerospace at their Albuquerque, New Mexico plant.

The initial price is expected to be US$2.695M and production is intended to be 50-100 aircraft per year.

The aircraft achieved an FAA production certificate in April 2012.

In 2013, Eclipse planned to submit the 550 for the USAF's very light jet requirement, even though it did not have the required level of airworthiness.

Specifications (550) [edit]

Data from Company website

General characteristics

  • Crew: 2
  • Capacity: 4 passengers
  • Length: 33 ft 6 in (10.21 m)
  • Wingspan: 37 ft 9 in (11.51 m)
  • Height: 11 ft (3.4 m)
  • Empty weight: 3,634 lb (1,648 kg)
  • Gross weight: 6,035 lb (2,737 kg)
  • Max takeoff weight: 6,000 lb (2,722 kg)
  • Fuel capacity: 251 gal
  • Powerplant: 2 × Pratt & Whitney Canada PW610F Turbine, 900 lbf (4.0 kN) thrust each

Performance

  • Maximum speed: 432 mph; 695 km/h (375 kn)
  • Cruise speed: 430 mph (374 kn; 692 km/h)
  • Range: 1,496 mi; 2,408 km (1,300 nmi)
  • Service ceiling: 41,000 ft (12,497 m)
  • Rate of climb: 3,456 ft/min (17.56 m/s)

Avionics

References [edit]

  1. ^ a b c d e Niles, Russ (October 2011). "Eclipse To Resume Production". AvWeb. Retrieved 11 October 2011. 
  2. ^ a b Niles, Russ (19 March 2013). "New Eclipse Powers Up". AVweb. Retrieved 21 March 2013. 
  3. ^ Niles, Russ (October 2011). "Podcast: Orders Being Taken for New Eclipses". AvWeb. Retrieved 11 October 2011. 
  4. ^ Niles, Russ (16 May 2012). "Eclipse, Sikorsky Sign Airframe Deal". AVweb. Retrieved 15 May 2012. 
  5. ^ Pew, Glenn (25 April 2012). "Eclipse Earns Production Certificate". AVweb. Retrieved 26 April 2012. 
  6. ^ "Eclipse Responds To USAF Request for Very Light Jets."
  7. ^ Eclipse Aerospace (May 2012). "The Eclipse 550 Jet". Retrieved 3 May 2012. 

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