Air Taxi at Your Service

About this technology

Overview

Under an exclusive agreement with Eclipse Aviation Corporation, Williams International is manufacturing the EJ22 engine, a commercial version of the NASA/Williams FJX-2, for the Eclipse 500 aircraft. The new engine, which weighs approximately 85 pounds and delivers over 770 pounds of thrust, provides a higher thrust-to-weight ratio than any commercial turbofan ever produced. Being the smallest, quietest, and lightest commercial aircraft engine currently available, the EJ22 engine makes a whole new class of twinjet light aircraft feasible. Eclipse is working with NASA's Small Aircraft Transport System (SATS) program to provide a safe travel alternative that will reduce public travel time by 50 percent in 10 years and by over two-thirds in 25 years at equivalent highway systems costs. Using the Eclipse 500 as an air taxi gives passengers access to small, uncrowded airports near their homes to reach destinations. The Nimbus Group, Inc., of Fort Lauderdale, Florida, placed an order for 1,000 Eclipse 500 jet aircraft. The company will use the aircraft to operate air taxi services throughout North and South America. The company is planning on-demand service to its clients, similar to calling a ground taxi service.