Eclipse Aviation Goes Green

Eclipse Aviation outlined its green inititives with regards to its Eclipse 500 very light jet, saying the aircraft will be the "first truly green jet." "Ever Eclipse 500 is delivered green," said Vern Raburn, Eclipse Aviation CEO, adding the aircraft in many cases exceeds potential for most  environmental standards including emissions and noise pollution. The Eclipse 500 can go 854 miles on 1,000 pounds of fuel, making it a more efficient aircraft than its competitors, Raburn said. Overall, however, Raburn refused to give production expectations for the Eclipse 500, saying "I'm always wrong." The Eclipse 500 have been mired in production issues, including replacing the avionics manufacturer Avidyne with a team of avionics companies. Also, Raburn said, obtaining the production certificate was more difficult than originally imagined, which delays production further. Raburn said Eclipse expects certification of its avionics suite, dubbed Avio NG, by mid-November. The Avio NG has already been installed on two test aircraft. The avionics retrofits, the earlier Avionics system developed by Avidyne, will begin in December and will be complete by 2008, Raburn said.