21 February 2003
Eclipse Aviation has chosen Pratt & Whitney Canada to supply the engines for its Eclipse 500 light jet.
As reported in January’s FLYER News, Eclipse dropped former engine partner Williams International last November because its EJ-22 engine failed to meet performance guarantees.
The Eclipse 500 will now be powered by a pair of 900lb st PW610F turbofans. The engines, still in development, are FADEC-equipped and feature auto-start, inflight auto-restart, and over-temperature/speed protection.
As a result of the engine change the Eclipse 500 will gain 250lb in useful load, a 20kt increase in maximum cruising speed to 375kt, improved maximum rate of climb of 2990fpm, single-engine hot-and-high rate of climb of 293fpm, and a reduced hot-and-high take-off distance of 3350ft. On the downside, stall speed will increase from 62kt to 67kt, and guaranteed range with four passengers and NBAA IFR reserves will be down by 20nm to 2800nm.
Pratt & Whitney Canada has now won the engine contracts for the two principal US contenders in the light twin-jet market; Cessna has selected the 1350lb st PW615F for its Citation Mustang.
Full story will be in the April issue of the magazine, on sale March 13.
