Eclipse Aviation News
Eclipse Aviation Corporation today announced a partnership with ETIRC Aviation Europe (ETIRC Aviation), a new company that will drive sales and service for the breakthrough Eclipse 500 jet throughout countries such as Russia, Turkey, Ukraine and other CIS states. ETIRC Aviation was founded by Roel Pieper, a former high-tech executive and current venture capitalist.
“From the beginning, we have seen tremendous sales and interest for the Eclipse 500 outside of the United States. Establishing a partnership to sell, support and service the Eclipse 500 in these emerging markets is the next logical step,” said Vern Raburn, president and CEO of Eclipse Aviation. “ETIRC Aviation’s business plan complements our efforts in the U.S and will help power Eclipse Aviation’s global growth.”
ETIRC Aviation is headquartered in Luxembourg with current operating sales and support facilities in Russia, Ukraine and Turkey. Pieper, a former top-level executive at Tandem Computers, Compaq Computer, and Philips Electronics, will be chairman of the board. Maarten van Eeghen, Former CEO of Fokker Aircraft US, will be the chairman of the Advisory Board of ETIRC Aviation. Management teams will be announced separately for each of the main countries of operation, such as Russia, Ukraine and Turkey.
“Eclipse has created an advanced jet aircraft that is opening up markets and inspiring new business models to serve the needs of air passengers worldwide,” said Roel Pieper, chairman of ETIRC Aviation. “Vern Raburn and I share a commitment to apply the innovations and business practices pioneered in the high technology industry to transform air travel, and I look forward to driving this transformation in Eastern Europe.”
ETIRC Aviation will be exclusively responsible for sales, service and support of the Eclipse 500 jet in a territory spanning most of Eastern Europe and Russia (including all of the Commonwealth of Independent States), Ukraine, Belarus, as well as Turkey, and Cyprus. Sales facilities are in place now, and a full-service maintenance facility and parts depot will be in place by 2007.
ETIRC Aviation will lead and coordinate all required certification efforts in these countries. Eclipse expects FAA certification of the Eclipse 500 in late 2Q of 2006 and expects European EASA type certification to be completed by the end of 2006.
About ETIRC Aviation
ETIRC Aviation is an independent company with exclusive rights for sales, service and support of the Eclipse 500 jet in most of Eastern Europe, including Russia and all the former Soviet Republics, as well as Turkey and Cyprus. ETIRC Aviation Europe was initially operating as Eclipse Aviation Eastern Europe, but has now changed to ETIRC Aviation Europe. ETIRC Aviation Europe S.a r.l. has its principal place of business at 16 Rue Jean-Pierre Brasseur, L-1258 Luxembourg. ETIRC Aviation Europe is registered under R.C. Luxembourg B 95 627. Contact ETIRC Aviation at http://www.etirc.com and telephone: (+ 352) 26 26 14 1 or fax: (+ 352) 26 26 14 333.
Eclipse Aviation is in the business of designing, certifying and producing modern, affordable jet aircraft that will revolutionize the transportation market. The company is applying advanced electronics systems, manufacturing and business practices to produce aircraft that cost less than a third of today's small jet aircraft, will be significantly safer and easier to operate than those of today, and have the lowest cost of ownership ever achieved in a jet aircraft.
The goal of Eclipse is to bring the word "personal" into aviation, making it possible for commercial air passengers to move directly between cities on a quick, affordable and convenient basis. It will also allow pilot owners to enter the world of jet-powered aviation.