Eclipse receives production certificate for EA550 final assembly

Eclipse Aerospace, Inc. received today from the Federal Aviation Administration an amended Production Certificate authorizing the final assembly, test, and certification of the new production Eclipse 550 Twin-Engine Jet. In order to earn this amended Production Certificate, EAI demonstrated all assembly, quality, inspection, and flight verification processes required by the FAA.

The original Production Certificate granted to EAI last year allowed Eclipse to manufacture the EA550 and requisite parts in compliance with FAA approved type design, but required direct FAA oversight of the flight test and certification phases. The amended PC now allows EAI to not only manufacture the EA550, but also to flight test and grant airworthiness certificates for the aircraft under EAI's FAA approved quality system.

"Manufacturers are typically required to build their first group of aircraft under the supervision of the FAA," stated Mason Holland, CEO of Eclipse Aerospace. "The fact that every new Eclipse 550 will be delivered under a full FAA Production Certificate speaks volumes about our team and our systems.

"I am totally amazed with the efficiency of our Eclipse Aerospace team in completing the full Production Certificate process so quickly," Holland continued. "The results from our multiple FAA audits clearly indicate that EAI's production and quality systems are among the elite in the industry. We have 550s moving down the production line in Albuquerque, and armed with our full green light from the FAA for final assembly and test, we are on our way to delivering jets this year."

The amended Production Certificate, the final key to aircraft production for Eclipse, emphasizes EAI's high standards for design, engineering, manufacturing, and internal quality control disciplines in the assembly and testing of the jet.

"Not only do we have the world's most efficient light jet, but we are now proving that we extend our expertise in efficiency as a way of process in all we do at Eclipse," stated Holland.

New production Eclipse 550 Twin-Engine Jets will begin delivery in the third quarter of this year. The new jets will come complete with a dual Avio IFMS avionics suite, independent stand-by display units, a 20,000 cycle airframe, and owner selected options including synthetic vision, enhanced vision, auto-throttles, and anti-skid brakes.