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Eclipse Aviation ECJ

Type (Muster)
Very light business jet (Ultraleichter Geschäftsreisejet)

Country (Land)
USA

Manufacturer (Hersteller)
Eclipse Aviation
2503 Clark Carr Loop SE
Albuquerque, NM 87106
USA

Phone: 001-505/245-7555
Fax: 001-505/241-8800
Internet : www.eclipseaviation.com

General (Allgemeine Angaben)
Crew (Besatzung): 1
Passengers (Passagiere): 3

Power plant (Antrieb): 1 x Pratt & Whitney Canada PW615F
Thrust (Schub): 1 x 4,89 kN (1100 lbf)

Dimensions (Abmessungen)
Length (Länge): 8,84 m
Height (Höhe): 2,64 m
Span (Spannweite): 10,97 m

Baggage hold (Gepäckraum): 0,5 cu m internally and 0,5 cu m external of cabin

Weights (Massen)
Empty weight (Leermasse): 1125 kg
Useful load (Zuladung) 907 kg
Fuel capacity (Kraftstoff): 705 l (186 gal)
Max. take-off weight (max. Startmasse): 2032 kg

Performance (Flugleistungen)
Max. cruise speed at FL 350 (max. Reisegeschwindigkeit): 639 km/h (345 KTAS)
Stall speed (Überziehgeschwindigkeit): 113 km/h (61 kts)
Time to climb to FL250: 12 min
Time to climb to FL410: 27 min
Service ceiling (Dienstgipfelhöhe): 12500 m (41000 ft)
Take-off distance (Startstrecke): 670 m to reach 15 ft height, sea level, ISA, max. take-off weight
Landing distance (Landestrecke): 550 m at sea level, ISA, max. landing weight
Range (Reichweite): 2315 km (1250 NM) with FAA IFR + 45 min reserve, 4 occupants

Costs (Kosten)
No details known.

Customers (Kunden)
The ECJ represents Eclipse's vision of what a single engine VLJ should be, and it is currently not available for sale. Instead, the ECJ is being soley used for market research.

Remarks (Bemerkungen)
The Eclipse Concept Jet is a single-engine, turbofan powered, V-tail aircraft that Eclipse will use to conduct market research on the emerging single-engine jet category. The initiative was said to be modeled after the automobile industry's concept cars, which showcase advanced styling and technology to assess customer reactions to new car designs which may or may not eventually be produced and gauge the potential market size.
The ECJ shares a number of design elements with the Eclipse 500. Common to the ECJ and the Eclipse 500 are the wing assembly minus the tip tanks, which includes the ailerons, the fuel system, main landing gear and actuators, flaps and flap actuators, wheels and brakes. The nose assembly is also common to both aircraft and includes the nose landing gear assembly, landing gear doors, forward pressure bulkhead, air conditioning and oxygen supply.
The ECJ also features Eclipse's Avio NG system. The all-electric ECJ design delivers full Avio NG functionality, including aircraft computer systems, flight control trims, autopilot, electrical power distribution, FADEC, air data, AHRS, landing gear and flap actuation. Leveraging Avio NG's Total Aircraft Integration, all of the ECJ's major system components are controlled and managed using Avio NG – exactly as they are on the Eclipse 500. The sidestick controlled ECJ is also presented containing very similar instrument panel layouts as the Eclipse 500. A new concept panel has been created for the thrust console, which includes a rotary knob thrust lever with thrust position lighting, retractable pilot keyboard, and single push button engine control. A concept overhead panel includes exterior lighting controls and a LED lit panel with the intent of showing passengers specific flight parameters such as groundspeed, heading, and estimated time enroute.
The interior of the ECJ takes its design cues from high-end sports car manufacturers. Styled in black, orange, and grey leather with brushed metals throughout, the passenger cabin features a bench seat with integrated armrests, and fold-over capability to access the internal baggage area. The bench seat also has a vertical-tracking capability, allowing for a large amount of flexible leg room. Both rear passenger seats have access to 110V power plugs, cup holders and integrated MP3 player plugs for audio entertainment. Access into and out of the cabin is provided through one left side door, allowing simple entrance to flight deck and passenger seats. External baggage is available in the tail of the ECJ, which has the capacity to hold up to three full sets of golf clubs or skis.

History (Geschichte)
Initial design of the ECJ kicked off in mid-January 2007. Eclipse Aviation contracted Swift Engineering of San Clemente, California to assist with the design and subsequently build the Eclipse Concept Jet (ECJ) in slightly over six months. Leveraging Swift's advanced virtual design capabilities, Swift and a small team of Eclipse employees worked together in complete secrecy to rapidly take the ECJ from conception to production. The Eclipse Concept Jet was constructed with the support of BaySys Technologies of Onancock, Virginia and International Aero Engineering (IAE) of Bellflower, California.
Fist flight occurred on 2 July 2007.
The Eclipse Concept Jet (ECJ) was unveiled on 23 July 2007 at the EAA AirVenture in Oshkosh. Until that time, the aircraft had been kept completely under wraps, with very few of the company's employees aware of its development. The ECJ was flown into Oshkosh the night before. By that time, the aircraft had accumulated just under 30 flight hours. The ECJ had flown at speeds up to 250 knots and altitudes up to 25,000 feet and successfully demonstrated gear and flap operation since its very first flight. The ECJ had also conducted initial flutter testing, pre-stall testing, engine restart, and other flight envelope expanding test points.

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Last updated 25 July 2007

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