WASHINGTON, 13 June 2012. Maker of very light jets (VLJs) Eclipse Aerospace began production of the new Eclipse 550 twin-engine jet. An FAA representative reveals that the production certificate issued to Eclipse Aerospace is for parts only, not for a complete 550 aircraft.
“Although EAI does not hold a production certificate to manufacture a complete aircraft, as the holder of the type certificate for the EA500, they have been authorized by the FAA to produce aircraft under that type certificate with the FAA performing inspections for ‘each aircraft produced,’” says the FAA representative. “Assuming EAI works towards acquiring a production certificate to manufacture complete aircraft with less FAA oversight, we will work with the company to evaluate and validate the manufacturing process and conduct all the inspections necessary before determining if a production certificate to manufacture a complete aircraft can be issued.”
Eclipse is hiring production personnel; find out more at http://eclipseaerospace.net/550.php.
To read the Eclipse 550 news, visit http://www.avionics-intelligence.com/articles/2012/06/eclipse-550.html.
For more on the FAA, visit http://www.faa.gov.
