Eclipse Aviation News
Today Eclipse Aviation, manufacturer of the world’s first very light jet (VLJ), announced that Dole Food Company, Inc. and affiliate Castle & Cooke, Inc., have purchased three Eclipse 500 aircraft.
Dole Food Company, Inc. and Castle & Cooke, Inc., both privately-held companies, are owned by David H. Murdock, who serves as chairman and chief executive officer of both companies. Castle & Cooke plans to supplement its existing fleet of aircraft with Eclipse 500 very light jets to efficiently move key personnel throughout the continental United States, Hawaii and Latin America. Mr. Murdock’s combined companies make up one of the largest privately-held groups in America, with approximately 63,000 employees operating in more than 90 countries around the world. For more than 30 years, the organization has utilized a corporate aircraft fleet to increase business effectiveness and productivity.
Mr. Murdock recognizes the economic value of the Eclipse 500 for trips that involve fewer people flying shorter distances. “The decision to purchase these jets was made based on safety, performance and economics,” said Mr. Murdock. “The Eclipse 500 is a very welcome addition to our fleet. For shorter flights, no jet offered a better combination of all three attributes,” Murdock added. Dole Food Company’s Eclipse 500 very light jets will supplement its current aircraft fleet.
“It has always been our vision that the Eclipse 500 would enhance existing flight departments in the corporate market,” said Michael McConnell, vice president of sales and marketing for Eclipse Aviation. “We could never replace the large business jets and commercial airliners that fly international or long range routes, but regional business travelers will benefit significantly from the addition of small, state-of-the-art jets that have the speed and airport access to take you exactly where you want to go.
We are excited that Dole Food Company and David H. Murdock have decided to take advantage of the economic benefits of this remarkable jet, and anticipate that many more corporations will adopt this forward-looking business practice.”
Within the past three weeks, the Eclipse 500 received full FAA type certification, Eclipse Aviation was granted FAA Part 145 certification and the company broke ground on its maintenance facility in Albany, New York. Eclipse 500 production is ramping up, and Eclipse is adding new employees every week.
Castle & Cooke, Inc. and its affiliated companies have operations in over 24 states. The company’s diversified businesses include the development and ownership of real estate, leasing of transportation equipment, manufacture of brick and building materials and ownership of public warehouses. The company’s real estate developments include master planned communities such as Mililani Town on the island of Oahu, Hawaii, Lake Sherwood in Thousand Oaks, California, Seven Oaks in Bakersfield, California and Keene’s Pointe in Orlando, Florida. The company also owns two of the world’s highest-rated resorts on the 98% owned island of Lana’i in Hawaii. For more information please visit the Castle & Cooke, Inc. website at www.CastleCooke.net.
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.