The Eclipse 500 Jet is designed to serve both the existing general aviation market and a new market, which the company terms the "air limousine" concept. Air limo service will be provided by new or current companies utilizing Eclipse's aircraft to provide air travelers with an alternative for on demand, point-to-point air travel that is fast, convenient and safe.The Eclipse 500, first in the company's line of small, highly efficient aircraft, is a twin engine jet, with six passenger capacity, 368 kt (423 mph) cruising speed, a 41,000 foot service ceiling and a range of 1,800 nautical (2,070 statute) miles. Built using advanced, high volume manufacturing techniques, with an all glass cockpit, and avionics and operating systems derived from the computer industry, the Eclipse 500 will transport passengers in automobile-like comfort for a cost that is typically less than that of a full fare commercial airline ticket. Aircraft cost is projected to be $775,000 (year 2000 dollars) when commercial delivery begins in 2003

The Eclipse Aviation Corporation  announced (June, 5) that the FAA has approved the friction stir welding process specification created for use in the assembly of the Eclipse 500 jet. The company, aimed at revolutionizing air travel, is the first to use this advanced manufacturing technology in production of thin-gauge aircraft aluminum. This approval was received approximately one year ahead of the anticipated schedule. FAA approval of this process specification, in conjunction with the receipt of the Eclipse 500 type certificate, will allow Eclipse Aviation to build production aircraft using friction stir welding. The friction stir welding process specification details the procedural requirements, quality assurance provisions, standards for tooling and material preparation necessary for the use of friction stir welding in the assembly of aircraft.

“This achievement is the result of a truly collaborative relationship with the FAA and I am proud of the groundbreaking work our team, lead by John McCoury and Brent Christner, has done in conjunction with the specialists at the FAA, especially Joe McGarvey, fatigue specialist and Bob Eastin, national resource specialist,” said Vern Raburn, president and CEO of Eclipse Aviation. “This is another critical step in our mission to certify the Eclipse 500, an aircraft that will enable the creation of a personal air-taxi industry that will make private jet travel affordable for commercial air passengers everywhere.”

Friction stir welding will replace more than 60 percent of the rivets on major assemblies of the Eclipse 500 jet including the cabin, aft fuselage, wings and engine mounts. Friction stir welding is highly automated and significantly faster than other structural jointing processes. It enables the drastic reduction in aircraft assembly time and eliminates the need for thousands of rivets resulting in reduced assembly costs, better quality joining and stronger, lighter joints.

This advanced manufacturing process is just one of the innovations being used in the creation of the Eclipse 500 jet

Source: Eclipse Aviation Corporation