Eclipse Aviation has ended its relationship with Williams International, developer of the EJ22 turbofan, initially intended to power the Eclipse 500 jet. Eclipse has also revealed that it is in late-stage discussions with two ‘Fortune 100’ engine suppliers, who are competing to replace Williams International as the powerplant supplier for the Eclipse 500.

“Our substantial order book and the significant accomplishments Eclipse has achieved to date have validated the major market for this category,” said Vern Raburn, president and ceo of Eclipse Aviation.

“The industry has responded by rallying around this segment – and today there are new choices from world-class companies for engines designed to power lightweight jet aircraft. We are pleased to be in negotiations with two of the industry’s most respected suppliers, and look forward to moving ahead with the company that offers the best solution for powering the Eclipse 500.”

The decision to end Eclipse Aviation’s relationship with Williams International follows an intense period of analysis and deliberation involving Eclipse Aviation’s executive management team, its board of directors, and an independent propulsion expert.

Eclipse determined that the EJ22 was not a viable solution for the Eclipse 500 aircraft and that Williams International had not met its contractual obligations.

Development of the EJ22, Eclipse alleges, is significantly behind sche-dule, saying that all analyses indicate it will not meet the requirements of Eclipse 500 customers.

By way of a response, Williams made the following statement: "Although we have met all our contractual obligations to Eclipse Aviation Corporation, Williams International has encountered a number of challenges in the ongoing EJ22 engine development and its integration into the aircraft.

"Continuing development of the Eclipse 500 jet aircraft has also resulted in Eclipse asking Williams International for increased engine thrust beyond the near-term growth capability of the EJ22 engine."

The Eclipse 500 was originally scheduled to receive FAA type certification in winter 2003/2004. Raburn said: “Certification will be impacted but until we complete our plans and select the new propulsion source, it is still too early to say.”

Amid the action surrounding a new choice of engine, Eclipse has started construction of a facility to house friction stir welding. The company says that it is the first to use this process in the assembly of thin-gauge aircraft aluminium.

The facility, scheduled for completion in Spring 2003, is being constructed in the Broadway Industrial Centre on Albuquerque’s southwest side.