Eclipse Aviation must still fix one mechanical part and retrofit the DayJets

July 6, 2007

Eclipse Aviation has at least one more kink to work out before DayJet starts its air taxi service this month. After discovering a problem with an air speed probe on the outside of the plane's fuselage, the Federal Aviation Administration has issued limitations on all Eclipse 500 flights.

The airworthiness directive, or AD, which went into effect last week, limits flights to daytime only, requires two pilots and requires the jets stay below 18,000 feet.

The device, called a pitot, has three times ceased operation because of condensation that freezes within the system. Without it, primary air speed indication is lost, the autopilot will not function, and the stall warning could become unreliable, according to the FAA.

A backup air speed indicator has been unaffected by the freezing problem.

A spokeswoman for Eclipse last week said a solution has been found for the problem. The company is awaiting FAA certification of the solution, which will then be retrofitted to aircraft before DayJet's planned late July launch, she said.

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