Eclipse Aviation Inks Agreement with Pratt & Whitney Canada to Supply Engine for Eclipse 500 Jet.Business Editors ALBUQUERQUE, N.M.--(BUSINESS WIRE) Feb. 19, 2003 Pratt & Whitney Canada's PW610F Turbofan Will Optimize optimize - optimisation Performance of Eclipse 500 Jet and Provide Superior Benefits to Eclipse 500 Customers Eclipse Aviation Eclipse Aviation Corporation is an Albuquerque, New Mexico based manufacturer of the Eclipse 500 and Eclipse ECJ very light jets (VLJs). Founded in 1998 by former Microsoft employee Vern Raburn, the company employs about 1,300, which is more than twice the number from only a few Corporation, manufacturer of the Eclipse 500 jet, today announced an agreement with Pratt & Whitney Canada Corp. (P&WC), a world leader in aviation engines. Configured con·fig·ure tr.v. con·fig·ured, con·fig·ur·ing, con·fig·ures To design, arrange, set up, or shape with a view to specific applications or uses: with P&WC's PW610F turbofan, the now faster Eclipse 500 jet features a 375-knot cruise speed, improved performance across a wide range of conditions and improved durability in operation. "We're very proud to provide the engine for the Eclipse 500," said Alain M. Bellemare, President, P&WC. "This partnership solidifies our position as a leader in this fast growing segment of the jet market." The PW610F, the latest member of the PW600 family of engines, features 900 lbs of takeoff thrust at sea level to ISA (1) (Instruction Set Architecture) See instruction set. (2) (Interactive Services Association) See Internet Alliance. (3) (Internet Security and Acceleration) See .NET. +10(degree)C with built-in growth capability and is controlled through a dual-channel FADEC FADEC Full Authority Digital Engine Control FADEC Full Authority Digital Electronic Control . The PW600F family spans the 900 to 3,000 lb thrust range and is P&WC's smallest turbofan engine series. "We are very excited about the improved capabilities of the Eclipse 500 jet powered by the PW610F turbofan," said Vern Raburn, President and CEO (1) (Chief Executive Officer) The highest individual in command of an organization. Typically the president of the company, the CEO reports to the Chairman of the Board. of Eclipse Aviation. "The specifications of the PW610F turbofan, P&WC's vast turbine turbine, rotary engine that uses a continuous stream of fluid (gas or liquid) to turn a shaft that can drive machinery. A water, or hydraulic, turbine is used to drive electric generators in hydroelectric power stations. expertise and its leadership in this promising new market make this solution ideal for Eclipse customers and stakeholders Stakeholders All parties that have an interest, financial or otherwise, in a firm-stockholders, creditors, bondholders, employees, customers, management, the community, and the government. ." Eclipse 500 Enhancements and Schedule The PW610F is a modern, efficient engine that uses a proven and robust design approach. As a result, Eclipse 500 customers will benefit from the following enhancements: -- Full IFR capability -- 3 large EFIS displays for PFDs and MFD -- Flight management systems -- 3-axis autopilot -- Color weather radar -- Dual VHF communication -- Dual VHF navigation -- Dual localizer and glide slopes -- Dual mode S transponder -- Dual GPS, IFR enroute and approach certified -- Dual AHRS with air data computer -- Dual pitot static system -- Certified for known icing -- Standard interior with five seats -- Standard paint scheme -- Air conditioning Based on the PW610F development schedule, the Eclipse 500 is projected to receive FAA type certification and begin customer deliveries in Q1 2006. The development program for the PW600F family is well under way. "I've spoken with several other Eclipse 500 customers, and we've all been hoping Eclipse would choose P&WC as the new engine supplier," said Jeff Rubenstein, a customer in New York New York, state, United States New York, Middle Atlantic state of the United States. It is bordered by Vermont, Massachusetts, Connecticut, and the Atlantic Ocean (E), New Jersey and Pennsylvania (S), Lakes Erie and Ontario and the Canadian province of . "Pratt is clearly the gold standard in aviation engines, particularly for this new category of aircraft. I'm thrilled thrill v. thrilled, thrill·ing, thrills v.tr. 1. To cause to feel a sudden intense sensation; excite greatly. 2. To give great pleasure to; delight. See Synonyms at enrapture. to hear Eclipse and P&WC are teaming up, and anticipate that the performance and value of the new Eclipse 500 will significantly exceed my initial expectations." Design, Specifications and Performance Summary Minimal Eclipse 500 design changes will be required to accommodate the enhanced performance of the PW610F turbofan. Those adjustments include: -- Engines will be moved forward 9.5" on the fuselage -- Vapor Cycle Vapor cycle A thermodynamic cycle, operating as a heat engine or a heat pump, during which the working substance is in, or passes through, the vapor state. A vapor is a substance at or near its condensation point. It may be wet, dry, or slightly superheated. System will be moved from the wing-root fairing to the nose section of the aircraft -- The wing spar will require minor strengthening -- Small tip tanks will be added to accommodate additional fuel -- Flaps will be modified, increasing "Fowler-type" effect The following specifications have been adjusted to reflect the upgrade to P&WC turbofans:
Original Performance New Performance
Specifications Specifications
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Maximum Cruise Speed (kts) 355 (+/- 2.5%) 375 (+/- 2.5%)
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Stall Speed (kts) 62 (+/- 4%) 67 (+/- 4%)
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Range, 4 Occupants (nm)
NBAA IFR Reserves 1,300 (+/- 5%) 1,280 (+/- 5%)
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Useful Load (lbs) 2,000 lb (+/- 2.5%) 2,250
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Direct operating costs operating costs npl → gastos mpl operacionales of the Eclipse 500 are expected to be $.69 per mile in year 2000 dollars. Additional specifications can be found on the Eclipse 500 specifications document at www.eclipseaviation.com. Standard Equipment The guaranteed standard equipment on the Eclipse 500 jet includes the two P&WC turbofan engines, in place of the previously specified EJ22s, and the unchanged list of guaranteed standard equipment below: -- Full IFR capability -- 3 large EFIS displays for PFDs and MFD -- Flight management systems -- 3-axis autopilot -- Color weather radar -- Dual VHF communication -- Dual VHF navigation -- Dual localizer and glide slopes -- Dual mode S transponder -- Dual GPS, IFR enroute and approach certified -- Dual AHRS with air data computer -- Dual pitot static system -- Certified for known icing -- Standard interior with five seats -- Standard paint scheme -- Air conditioning The aircraft also features autothrottle capability, a function previously available only in jets costing $30 million or more. In addition, the standard aircraft is certified See certification. to RVSM RVSM Reduced Vertical Separation Minimums/Minima (aircraft) requirements. Eclipse 500 Pricing and Warranty Eclipse will deliver its full order book, more than 2,100 aircraft, at a sub-$1 million price tag and will sell an additional 100 aircraft at $950,000. Current customers were recently given a firm price of $950,000 with non-escrowed deposits and $975,000 for customers whose deposits remain in escrow escrow Instrument, such as a deed, money, or property, that constitutes evidence of obligations between two or more parties and is held by a third party. It is delivered by the third party only upon fulfillment of some condition. . As early as serial number 1,553, the price will increase to $1,175,000 for all new orders. All prices are set in June 2000 economics. Eclipse disclosed the key terms of its warranty. The warranty on the airframe will be ten years or 5,000 hours from the date of purchase, the warranty on the engines will be three years or 1,000 hours and the warranty on the remaining portions (avionics avionics (ā'vēŏn`ĭks), electronic instruments used in air or space flight; also the design and production of such instruments. Early planes had few instruments, but as aviation and aircraft became more complex, so did instrumentation. , all electronics, aircraft systems) will be two years or 1,000 hours. About Eclipse Aviation Eclipse Aviation is in the business of designing, certifying and producing modern, affordable jet aircraft that will revolutionize rev·o·lu·tion·ize tr.v. rev·o·lu·tion·ized, rev·o·lu·tion·iz·ing, rev·o·lu·tion·iz·es 1. To bring about a radical change in: Television has revolutionized news coverage. 2. the transportation market. The company is applying advanced electronics systems, manufacturing and business practices to produce aircraft that cost about a quarter of today's small jet aircraft, will be significantly safer and easier to operate than those of today and have the lowest cost of ownership ever achieved in a jet aircraft. The goal of Eclipse is to bring the word "personal" into aviation, making it possible for commercial air passengers to move directly between cities on a quick, affordable and convenient basis. It will also allow pilot owners to enter the world of jet-powered aviation. Contact Eclipse at http://www.eclipseaviation.com. Eclipse Aviation Corporation, Eclipse and Eclipse 500 are trademarks of Eclipse Aviation Corporation. |
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