Eclipse Aviation is the result of the combined vision and dedication of a high technology executive and one of the most famous men in aviation, with NASA’s research initiatives acting as a catalyst.

In 1996, after attending the EAA summer fly-in at Oshkosh, Dan Goldin, Administrator of NASA, concluded that the once flourishing U.S. light aircraft industry could be rejuvenated by a NASA-sponsored small turbofan engine development initiative. As a result, NASA-Glenn conducted a competitive small turbofan development competition among the major U.S. engine builders.

"The Eclipse Aviation announcement signals the next step in achieving the vision I set out a few years ago, where safe, affordable, jet-powered small aircraft travel is available to anyone, anytime, anywhere. I believe this will be the first of many entrepreneurial programs resulting from NASA's investment in general aviation technology."

— Daniel S. Goldin, NASA Administrator

When NASA launched its competitive research and development program with the U.S. engine industry, Williams International won a cooperative R&D program with NASA. Williams International and NASA believed that by developing a new highly efficient, low cost, quiet turbofan, the once flourishing U.S. light airplane market could be revived and grown to a size far beyond its prior golden years. Williams built a variety of mockups along with an all-new light aircraft to demonstrate the twinjet concept. This aircraft was demonstrated at Oshkosh 97 powered by a pair of Williams International 500-pound thrust turbofans. Williams continued its design and conceptual work while the new NASA/Williams GAP engine was being developed.

At the same time Vern Raburn, a successful entrepreneur in high-technology, became convinced that a huge business opportunity existed in aviation. A senior executive with experience building companies including Microsoft, Lotus Development, Slate and Symantec, Raburn had a consuming passion for aviation from a young age. Yet he kept aviation as an “avocation” because he could never identify the “big idea” in aviation on the scale of those emerging constantly in high tech. But by 1997, Raburn identified that the convergence of digital technology, efficient lightweight engines championed by the NASA GAP program, high volume manufacturing and high technology business practices could be applied to create a whole new type of general aviation company.

Through mutual business acquaintances Raburn and Dr. Williams met and Eclipse was born. Not wishing to enter the aircraft production business, during 1999 Williams International turned over all the rights to the aircraft to Eclipse.

Dr. Oliver Masefield joined the group as vice president of engineering, leading the Eclipse 500 development team. Dr. Masefield brings nearly 30 years experience in aircraft design, development and manufacture including the successful design and development of the Pilatus PC-12 single engine turboprop. Peter Reed, a seasoned financial executive, completed the founding management team of Eclipse.

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