Eclipse Aviation has released findings from the past three months of Eclipse 500 flight testing. Aircraft 100 has now completed more than 30 flights and Eclipse has examined the jet’s low-speed characteristics up to 200 knots at altitudes below 18,000 feet.

Aircraft 100 was built on production tooling and provides a testbed to confirm the aerodynamic characteristics of the Eclipse 500. The test aircraft has been equipped with interim engines to enable Eclipse to conduct the majority of the aerodynamic development work prior to receiving the Pratt & Whitney Canada PW610F engines that will be used on the production aircraft.

In addition to determining stall speeds at the forward and mid centre of gravity positions, test engineers have collected data on control surface effectiveness, control stick forces, aircraft attitude and flow visualisation of both wings’ upper surfaces during the stall and post-stall recovery. The remainder of flight testing will be completed before the end of the year and will further investigate aircraft stability and stall characteristics.