Eclipse Aviation News
“The Eclipse 500 is made feasible through advanced technologies, high-volume manufacturing and innovative business practices,” said Vern Raburn, President and CEO of Eclipse Aviation. “The partnerships we’ve created with established, well-respected companies in the aviation industry are representative of high-technology business practices which will play an important role in the delivery of the Eclipse 500.”
A first in the aviation industry, Argo-Tech (formerly known as JC Carter) will be collaborating with Eclipse Aviation on providing the entire integrated fuel system to the Eclipse 500 jet. This creative approach to partnership is part of a 10-year, long-term relationship forged by the two companies. Since 1946, Argo-Tech has been recognized as a leader in the design and manufacture of aircraft fuel components to both commercial and military customers in the aircraft, missile and spacecraft fields.
Michelin will be providing radial tires, capable of use on unimproved runways, for the Eclipse 500 jet. These radial tires, which provide more mass, durability, safety and heat resistance than bias tires, will be a standard feature on the Eclipse 500. Currently only 15 percent of the world’s aircraft are equipped with radial tires.1 Over a century of experience has made Michelin a world leader in manufacturing and selling tires for every type of vehicle, including airplanes, automobiles, bicycles, earthmovers, farm equipment, heavy-duty trucks, motorcycles and the space shuttle.
DeVore Aviation will be providing the Eclipse 500 with its external lighting suite. DeVore’s lighting system will provide important visibility for other aircraft during ground and flight operations. An Albuquerque, New Mexico-based company, DeVore specializes in aircraft lighting systems.
Cal-Draulics, Inc. is designing and producing nose and main landing gear for the Eclipse 500 jet. The wing-mounted main gear is a trailing link gear, which provides greater comfort to both the pilot and the passengers during landing. Cal-Draulics, Inc. has been manufacturing components and systems for the aerospace industry for over 50 years.
Through their Aircraft Wheel & Brake Division under the Cleveland brand name, Parker Hannifin Corporation will be equipping the Eclipse 500 with a lightweight wheel and multi-disc brake system and related hydraulic components. Parker Hannifin is a leader in the development, design, manufacture and support of motion and control systems for aerospace and related high-technology industries.
These companies have joined a team of well-respected leaders in aviation innovation, dedicated to providing the products and services necessary for the design, assembly and certification of the Eclipse 500 jet aircraft. Other Eclipse Aviation suppliers include Avidyne, BAE Systems Aircraft Controls, RCO and Williams International.
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 quarter 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.