Eclipse Aviation News
The flight marks an important milestone for Eclipse Aviation and its first customer, David Crowe. Eclipse is rapidly approaching FAA certification, and delivery of Crowe’s aircraft will follow shortly after.
Earlier this year, Crowe visited Eclipse to celebrate the initiation of production on his aircraft. “As Eclipse’s first customer, it has been great to witness the company’s persistence and growth over the last six years. This is an exciting time for the company and a very rewarding moment for me – I never lost my confidence in Eclipse and the wait is now paying off,” said Crowe. “I was just in Albuquerque two weeks ago watching the manufacturing team putting the final touches on my Eclipse 500. I can’t wait to fly my jet.”
Eclipse is leveraging advanced manufacturing methods not traditionally used in aviation to dramatically increase manufacturing efficiency, including moving assembly lines and robotics. At its Albuquerque, New Mexico headquarters, the company’s state-of-the-art production system is humming with activity as Eclipse readies additional jets for customer delivery. Nine additional production aircraft are in various assembly positions on the Eclipse 500 production line, with two in final assembly stage.
“To achieve this maiden flight is enormously gratifying,” said Vern Raburn, president and CEO of Eclipse Aviation. “This is a journey that is thrilling and challenging on levels that none of us could have ever imagined. I am so proud of this team and the unrelenting determination that they continue to demonstrate.”
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.