Eclipse
Training: Eclipse Aviation, manufacturer of the world's first very light jet (VLJ), has completed its team of training partners for the high-performance Eclipse 500. Training is the largest concern as the Eclipse and other VLJs enter service with Eclipse taking the lead in providing training that will ensure safety. Related Story
The company said Flight Simulation Company (FSC) of The Netherlands and Higher Power Aviation, Inc. (HPA) of Dallas-Fort Worth, Texas, join Eclipse's established relationship with simulator manufacturer OPINICUS Corporation of Lutz, Fla, which is expected to deliver the first simulator in June 2007 to Eclipse’s new 41,585 square foot training facility now under completion at Albuquerque's Double Eagle II airport with the second scheduled for September, and third and fourth in early 2008.
FSC, which could potentially provide training to other geographic areas besides North America and Europe, will provide Eclipse's FAA-approved course content and oversee Eclipse Aviation's overall Eclipse 500 pilot training program. FSC is centrally located at Amsterdam Schiphol Airport. The company will conduct Western European training at its headquarters facility, and leverage HPA's training facilities for U.S.-based Eclipse 500 training. Under its FAR Part 142 certificate, HPA's certified flight instructors and training personnel will conduct FAA approved flight training and administer the Eclipse 500 type rating curriculum in the United States.
The Eclipse program consists of a multi-phase curriculum, including an initial flight skills assessment and supplemental training if required, self-paced computer-based study, emergency situation training, a type rating transition course, post-certification mentoring as well as recurrent training. The training curriculum was developed using Line Oriented Flight Training (LOFT) and Flight Operations Quality Assurance (FOQA) principles, which are considered airline standards. In addition, Eclipse 500 training is accepted by the FAA/Industry Training Standards (FITS), which emphasizes scenario-based training that focuses on real-life situations and provides the appropriate tools to make the right decision in any circumstance.

Environmental Award for Fire Suppression System: The Environmental Protection Agency awarded Eclipse Aviation a 2007 Stratospheric Ozone Protection Award for the development of the PhostrExTM Fire Suppression System. Each year, Stratospheric Ozone Protection Award winners are recognized for eliminating ozone depleting substances in various industries, including aviation.
PhostrEx was patented by Eclipse and is the first new commercially viable aircraft engine fire suppression system in 50 years. Aircraft are exempt from the treaty and are allowed to use Halon, an ozone depleting substance, until a workable substitute is found. PhostrEx has proven to be the world's first commercially viable substitute to Halon, eliminating ozone depletion potential, contributing nothing to global warming, while vastly reducing lifecycle cost and weight.
When the agent is released from its hermetically-sealed canister, it works in less than one-tenth of a second, then, after extinguishing the fire, combines with moisture in the air and quickly becomes inert. Because of this rapid reaction with moist air and surfaces, the agent cannot be transported to the stratosphere where ozone depletion could occur. In a fire, the PhostrEx agent decomposes 1,000 times more rapidly than Halon and undergoes three sequential losses of bromine atoms, which are the power behind this agent. These atoms catalyze suppression of the fire.

New CFO: J. Mark Borseth is joining the executive team as senior vice president and chief financial officer (CFO). Borseth brings Eclipse 23 years of management and financial experience at 3M Company, and will be responsible for all financial planning, management and reporting at Eclipse Aviation.

Embraer
Metal Cut: Embraer (ERJ) performed the first metal cut for the up-to-nine-seat Phenom 300 executive jet, in late March, at the company’s main facility in São José dos Campos. An automated five-axis, high-speed machining center milled the aircraft’s first part – a nose landing gear fitting located in the forward fuselage. CATIA V5 software supported digital design and manufacturing simulations. Advanced technological instruments, such as laser and ultra-sound, are used in the quality assurance process.

Final Assembly: Embraer reports that the first Phenom 100 fuselage and wing-fuselage mating was completed at the Company’s Botucatu plant in March. The aircraft is now at the São José dos Campos facility final assembly. The two PW617 Pratt & Whitney Canada engines were scheduled for installation last month.
The design and production planning of the Phenom jets are entirely digital. The manufacturing of all primary parts was simulated via a digital manufacturing and virtual numeric-control software. After simulation, the main structures of the first Phenom 100 were built with an automated riveting machine. With the advance of the final assembly of the first jet, the main fuselage sections and structures of the second Phenom 100 aircraft have begun the initial assembly process.

As part of the industrial plan for the Phenom programs, Embraer is upgrading two of its plants. The Botucatu facilities are being expanded by 95,800 square feet (8,900 square meters) and reconfigured to incorporate the sub-assembly lines of the Phenom 100 and the Phenom 300. A new facility is now under construction at the Gavião Peixoto plant. The 128,800-square-foot (11,970 square-meter) building will house administrative offices, engineering, receiving and the final assembly line for the Phenom 100 and the Phenom 300 jets. An additional building for custom painting will be constructed by the end of 2007. Final assembly of the fourth Phenom 100 and beyond will already occur at the Gavião Peixoto facility.
The Phenom 100 maiden flight is planned for mid-2007 and entry into service by mid-2008. The Phenom 300 first flight is expected for mid-2008 and deliveries by mid-2009.
Before the wing/fuselage mating, the anemometric, oxygen and hydraulic systems were installed, as well as the main landing gear. The first Phenom 100 jet is being equipped with flight test instrumentation. Embraer has adopted a multi-site strategy for the Phenom programs by expanding the Botucatu plant for pre-assembly and the Gavião Peixoto plant for final assembly. The first three Phenom 100s are being completed at the São José dos Campos plant.