Eclipse Aviation News
Today Eclipse Aviation, manufacturer of the world’s first certified very light jet (VLJ), announced that Saul Pacheco has joined the executive team as vice president of quality. Pacheco brings to Eclipse extensive leadership experience in high-rate manufacturing and product quality, and will be responsible for ensuring Eclipse 500 aircraft quality and airworthiness.
Pacheco was most recently the global director of quality and reliability for medical technology leader Medtronic, where he was responsible for all products released to the medical marketplace. At Medtronic, Pacheco led the evaluation of manufacturing processes, documentation, controls and procedures. Prior to that, he spent 11 years with Motorola in a variety of manufacturing and quality management roles. At Motorola, Pacheco was distinguished as a member of the team that won the Detroit Diesel and Cummins Supplier of the Year Award for improving supplier quality in both 1999 and 2000.
“We are excited to welcome Saul as our vice president of quality – his leadership will be critical as we transition from a company focused on aircraft development to one in full production mode,” said Vern Raburn, president and CEO of Eclipse Aviation. “We have a great team in place, and bringing someone with Saul’s specialized experience on board is another definitive step in our strategy to build and deliver the world’s highest-quality VLJ.”
Last month at EAA AirVenture in Oshkosh Wisconsin, Eclipse Aviation received provisional type certification from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). The company expects to achieve full type certification and production certification in the coming weeks, with aircraft deliveries following shortly thereafter.
Eclipse Aviation, manufacturer of the world's first certified very light jet, 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.