New Eclipse model unveiled

ONE Aviation has unveiled a new Eclipse model, currently known as “Project Canada.” The new aircraft is all about offering more, according to company officials.

In this case, “more” means an aircraft that is:

• Shorter: Canada requires 24% less runway at sea level, ISA+25°C
• Quicker: Canada takes 47% less time to climb to FL400 at ISA+10°C
• Farther: Canada will fly 1,400 nm at max speed cruise with NBAA IFR 100 reserves
• Higher: Canada’s operational ceiling is increased to FL430
• Faster: Canada can cruise at 0.65 Mach, all the way up to FL430
• Hotter: Canada has significant improvements in all performance on high temp days
• Stronger: Canada’s increased useful load allows you to carry 475 pounds more payload the same distance traveled as the current Eclipse

These changes in performances are the result of a combination of several design changes, company officials noted.

• More Span: 41.7 ft. vs. 37.9 ft.
• More Wing Area: 163 sq. ft. vs. 144 sq. ft. — 13% more wing area
• More Fuel: 321 gallons vs. 251 gallons
• More Useful Load: 2,787 lb. vs. 2,311 lb.
• More Thrust: 1,170 lb. vs. 980 lb.

“Canada” adds about 4 feet to the span of previous Eclipse jets by adding a new wing section at the root, company officials explained. The increased span improves efficiency which, in turn, improves takeoff, climb, and cruise performance, especially at high altitudes — an important aspect that allows for increasing the max altitude to FL430, officials noted.

Additional wing area keeps the takeoff, approach, and landing speeds similar to the current Eclipse 550. This added area provides the volume necessary to increase the total usable fuel to 321 gallons to achieve the design goal of 1,400 nm with NBAA IFR 100 range while eliminating the tip tanks and their associated drag.

Adding fuel without adding gross weight limits choices, so the new “Canada” will also have a much higher gross weight of about 6,900 pounds. This will increase the amount of testing required by the FAA, company officials acknowledge.

“We expect that the aircraft will be powered by a flat rated version of the PW615, thus providing higher thrust,” company officials said in a prepared release. “The flat rating allows the engine to put out the required thrust at much higher temperatures and altitudes.”

The jet will come with Garmin G3000 avionics, which includes synthetic vision, GFC 700 autopilot, Garmin ESP protection system, ADS-B and RVSM compliant, Full LNAV and VNAV functions, and more.

Company officials also are offering customers who order an EA550 or EA SE before Aug. 5, 2016, the chance to trade that in for a Canada, once they are available, with zero depreciation.

Existing Eclipse owners can also trade in their jets at a “defined” depreciation price, company officials added.