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Quick History
There are two Eclipse Jet models, the 500 and 550. Both models feature the same airframe and engines, ICAO type (EA50) and performance. The first production Eclipse 500 flew in 2006, with 260 produced by the end of 2008. The company restarted as Eclipse Aerospace in 2009 and com- pleted four more 500s by 2012 before starting production of the 550 in 2013. They produced 32 of the 550 models be- fore the last one was completed in 2017.
The avionics are unique to the Eclipse Jet. Except for a few with Avidyne Avio avionics, all Eclipse Jets have the IS&S version of Avio, featuring two PFDs and a 15-inch MFD. Behind the scenes, the Eclipse avionics architecture includes two Avio Computer Systems (ACS) (the
additional FMS functions have made them very popular with many owners and offers potential buyers a lower- priced Eclipse option.
The Avio 2.x (2.0-2.92) airplanes represent the bulk of the f leet, with the 2.08 being the most popular. These air- planes are considered Integrated Flight Management System (IFMS) aircraft. All fully couple to the autopilot and share most of the same FMS capabili- ties. The later versions offer upgrades such as anti-lock brakes, autothrottles (the first in light jets), improved dis- plays and two independent FMS’s. IS&S offers a synthetic vision op- tion, FMS updates, and autothrottle improvements on the latest version of Avio (2.9.2), but software support for earlier IFMS versions to fix issues is lacking.
component. It is considered stronger than other welding techniques.
All systems, except for the brakes, are operated electrically. It was a very advanced design at the time and is still ahead of many aircraft. There are two nose-mounted batteries (system and start), and each generator produces 200 amps. Flight controls include two side- stick controllers operating the flight control surfaces by means of pushrods and cables.
Eclipse incorporated an innova- tive data collection capability unique when it was developed. The Data Storage Unit (DSU) continually re- cords 3,400 signals, including detailed data generated by three air-data sensors, air conditioning actuator po- sitioning, activation of every switch, and all communication between the displays. The Eclipse can also
primary controlling computers), a Center Switch Panel (CSP) and other components on this highly integrated and sophisticated aircraft.
The IS&S Avio 1.5 and 1.7 aircraft have one or two aftermarket Garmin GPS (GNS400, GNS625) installed in place of the keyboards as the primary FMS. These naviga- tors can’t fully integrate with the autopilot, nor can these Avio versions take direct advantage of some upgrades. However, the ease of use and
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PHOTOS BY AUTHOR
About the Airplane
With a few exceptions, the Eclipse is an all-metal aircraft, with many components milled from solid alu- minum billets. Most components are fastened with traditional methods, while portions of the plane are friction- stir welded. Friction-stir welding is a solid-state process involving two high- speed, non-consumable devices, one on each side of the joint, literally melt- ing the metal of the pieces into a single
transmit engine trend information over the Iridium satellite network in f light. Eclipse engineers and service centers use the extensive DSU data to pinpoint the exact cause of anomalies, which accelerates diagnosis. Pilots can also upload their DSU data to Aerocor’s website, www.flightdata.com, for their own analysis.
Preflight & Start
Once you complete the external pre-f light and turn on the batteries