Posted on 08/26/2002 11:23:02 AM PDT by taildragger
We have just received word that the Eclipse 500 micro-jet has made its first flight.
The world's newest jet was just taxiing back to the hangar, as we spoke to Eclipse spokeswoman Cory Canada, who said that the test pilot, Bill Bubb, wasn't out of the plane yet; and, by the way, how did we know? [Thank you, News-Spy! --ed.]
Details of the (roughly) 45-minute Monday morning flight are sketchy; we have calls in to the company, and expect to be updating this spot throughout the day. Stay tuned!
Additional Details... Well after we posted the first announcement of the flight, we received the following official statement. Please note that we are working up several other details and stories for you all for this evening.
"Eclipse Aviation Corporation today announced the successful first flight of its flagship aircraft, the next-generation Eclipse 500 jet. Piloted by Bill Bubb, Eclipse Aviation's chief test pilot, the Eclipse 500 jet took to the air at 9:18 a.m. MST, flying as planned for approximately 60 minutes.
'I applaud the Eclipse team, our investors, suppliers and partners for their steadfast dedication to realizing our dream of changing the way people travel,' said Vern Raburn, president and CEO of Eclipse Aviation. 'What we accomplished today is now part of aviation history. Today we stand together, more certain than ever that the Eclipse 500 will forever change the landscape of transportation.'
The Eclipse 500 offers performance characteristics and economics that are enabling the creation of alternatives to today's commercial air travel system. The Eclipse 500 will allow travelers to fly point-to-point to more than 10,000 airports in the U.S. alone, ushering in an age where point-to-point private jet travel will be available to everyone at affordable prices. This will be a dramatic departure from today's commercial airline system, which forces 70 percent of all air travelers to pass through 29 increasingly crowded "hub" airports.
Flight-testing was conducted in a designated test zone located south of Albuquerque, New Mexico.
The first test flight was designed to investigate basic maneuverability and allow for initial aircraft systems checking. The first tests occurred at 9,000 feet (2,743.2 m) where the flight crew successfully evaluated engine handling, aircraft stability and control, general flying qualities and systems performance.
The first flight of the Eclipse 500 marks the start of a 16-month testing program, involving eight test airframes. The flight-test program will culminate with FAA certification, scheduled to occur in December 2003.
'We completed all test conditions as planned and were very pleased with the results,' said Bubb. 'The Eclipse team did an excellent job of building the aircraft. The quality is remarkable and the workmanship is outstanding.'
The Eclipse 500 is a six-person jet aircraft that sells for $837,500 (in June 2000 dollars). At this price, it costs approximately a quarter of today's small jet aircraft and will be significantly safer, easier and less expensive to fly. The Eclipse 500 flies 355 knots and can travel 1,300 nautical miles (about the distance between Boston and Miami) at a cost of approximately 56 cents a mile to operate. First customer deliveries of the Eclipse 500 are scheduled to occur in January 2004.
By the time the airplane would enter service, projected for early 2004, government officials are expected to have issued additional regulations on how private jets and air taxis should address security. But Eclipse, acutely aware of the damage that an untoward incident could do to a nascent airplane program, plans to train all prospective Eclipse 500 pilots. This would be done to avoid farming them out to training schools that might be more inclined to sign off on a marginal pilot who has paid the money for proficiency training. Several months ago, Mr. Raburn told a room of insurance underwriters at a conference in London that he would refund a customer's deposit rather than put an unqualified pilot in one of his planes, prompting a standing ovation.
The goal for Eclipse is to be certificated by 2004. They are well on their way to getting there.
BTW, it takes 6-8 years to develop doctors and other professionals. So 1-2 years is not as big an obstacle as it may seem.
6-8 years is about the amount of time it takes for someone to move from piston to turbine aircraft. I read somewhere, and you'll have to forgive me for not supplying the source, that the amount of training that it takes to produce an Airline Transport Pilot is equivalent to an MD.
Right now the problem is not a shortage of pilots but a shortage of jobs for well qualified pilots. I know a guy who just finished 15 years flying F-15s who can't get a job with the airlines --- they are all laying off, not hiring and with bakruptcies of major airlines there will be more and more layoffs in the future. I think any one who qualified on a Mach II warbird would be more than qualified to handle this little bird and there are plenty of guys (and girls) who fit that bill and would love to get back in the air again.
Correction r9etb,
It is a real Turbofan utilizing "expendable" technology, but it has been designed from the ground up. Big difference. The original "FJX-2" engine that was in a Demo Aircraft known as the V-Jet had Williams Intl engines that were designated "FJX-2" that were Modified Williams F107 Turbofan Cruise Missile Engines. These engines the "EJ-22" are a clean sheet of paper.
Please note some of the technology envolved is in regards to simplifying the engines, i.e. like one piece castings that perform multiple functions instead of a welded up part.
The Big engine Makers like GE, Pratt and Rolls try to do the same thing as well, but it may have a greater impact on an engine this size.
This Eclipse is no F-15, or 767 for that matter. It is a six-seater.
Training the pilot to fly the plane is probably the easy part. It's getting the required "flight-time" that might be the biggest obstacle. That's probably why major airlines prefer hiring military pilots. They have already accumulated significant flight time on the government's dime. It's probably very expensive to get a civilian 1,000 (or more) of "flight-time" needed for certification. Essentially that trainee would have to fly an empty airplane for all that time. Couldn't they just use simulators?
There are plenty of jobs for pilots now. (Embry-Riddle just hired 40 new instructor pilots for the Fall term. Yes, the airlines are having their problems, but that's a result of mismanagement even prior to 911). It is a lot better than 20 years ago when there were zero positions available. As always, it's based on the economic cycle and I anticipate that the demand for pilots will sky rocket in the next two years.
Why are you getting defensive and insinuating that I think flying an airplane is no big deal? Obviously I can't expect to step into a cockpit tomorrow and fly a plane. If I tried, I would surely crash the damn thing. Just as you would fall flat on your face if you came to work with me tomorrow and tried doing my job. But I can certainly train you on how to do my job and within a few months, you could probably replace me. Well I sure as hell can learn to fly a plane too, with the proper training. Stop making it seem like you have to be Chuck Yeager.
Hey sign me up! I'm 10 hours short of taking my Private Pilot Exam.
Hey wait a minute now!
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