PZL Mielec, a Sikorsky company, contracted to build Eclipse 550 airframe

Eclipse Aerospace, Inc. (EAI) announced today the signing of an agreement with PZL Mielec, an affiliate of Sikorsky Aircraft and subsidiary of United Technologies Corp., to produce major components for the Eclipse 550 Jet. PZL Mielec will manufacture the fuselage, empennage, and wings for Eclipse Aerospace in Poland and ship the parts to Albuquerque, New Mexico, USA for final assembly. Eclipse Aerospace plans first deliveries of the Eclipse 550 in 2013.

In addition to providing Eclipse Aerospace with major airframe components, PZL Mielec currently produces the M-28 fixed wing aircraft and the Sikorsky S-70i™ international BLACK HAWK helicopter.

"The signing of the PZL Eclipse 550 airframe contract is another major milestone in our production path," said Mason Holland, CEO of Eclipse Aerospace. "Utilizing the world class facilities of PZL Mielec in the production of our airframe components is huge for Eclipse. Their proven facilities and experience will further accelerate our efforts while reducing production start up risk."

The Eclipse 550 will be built using the same airframe design as the Eclipse 500. However, the 550 model will include an improved avionics system which will include Synthetic Vision, Auto Throttles, and Enhanced Vision. The Eclipse 550 will also possess the same 1,125 nm range, 375 ktas max cruise speed, and 41,000 ft service ceiling of its predecessor, and will continue its industry leading fuel performance, burning a mere 59 gallons per hour at cruise.