Story ID: 045Oct17
Eclipse 700 Testbed Takes Flight
By: Rob Finfrock
Caption: N990NE is the first of three planned testbed aircraft to test specific components for the Eclipse 700.
Word Count: 206
Early last month One Aviation flew an Eclipse 700 testbed aircraft, an experimental Eclipse 500 fitted with an aerodynamically conforming version of the planned aircraft’s larger wing. One Aviation test pilot Jerry Chambers reported that during the 1.3-hour flight the aircraft “felt solid, a testament to the engineering and build teams.”
N990NE is the first of three planned testbed aircraft to test specific components for the Eclipse 700, a larger version of the Eclipse 500 with a new wing (for better performance and more fuel capacity) and a 14-inch fuselage extension. According to the company, subsequent testbeds will be developed for the Eclipse 700’s Garmin G3000-based avionics and Williams FJ33-5A engines. 
The September 1 flight came eight years to the day since Eclipse Aerospace took over operations in Albuquerque, N.M., to handle maintenance and upgrades to 260 aircraft manufactured by the former Eclipse Aviation. The company introduced the Total Eclipse refurbishment program and later resumed new aircraft manufacturing with the Eclipse 550. In April 2015, Eclipse Aerospace merged with Kestrel Aviation, developer of the K350 turboprop single, to form One Aviation. The new company announced Project Canada, which became the Eclipse 700 last year.
 
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