First Flight Of New Eclipse, But Only The Wing?

The new Eclipse Project Canada---now called the EA700---has taken to the skies, at least in part. That part is the wing, to be precise. ONE Aviation modified an an Eclipse 500 with the wing designed for the EA700 and, last Friday, performed a 1.5-hour flight test---a first for the wing design.

Courtesy of ONE Aviation

ONE Aviation reports that the flight evaluated handling, basic flying and maneuvering qualities at altitudes up to 15,000 feet. The company says the wing performed successfully and as expected. Changes to the wing design, which is based on that used for the other Eclipse Jets, include a 4-foot increase in wingspan and reshaped inboard airfoils and planform. If all continues to go as planned, a complete EA700 prototype will make its first flight next year.

The EA700 improves upon the Eclipse 550 with its new wing, more powerful engines and a fuselage that has been stretched by 14 inches. And its already good range has been improved to an estimated 1,400 miles.

Learn more at ONE Aviation.