Eclipse Aviation News
As projected, Eclipse Aviation currently employs 173 people dedicated to the continued development and manufacture of the Eclipse 500 jet. The company expects to employ approximately 200 people by year-end.
“We're very excited about having all Eclipse employees under one roof,” said Vern Raburn, president and CEO of Eclipse. “We have already come a long way in the development and certification of the Eclipse 500 jet. This Fall we begin assembly of our first flight test aircraft, in preparation of our first flight next July. Now with everybody in one place, we can focus all our energy toward achieving first flight, certification and customer deliveries on schedule.”
Eclipse Aviation engineers were previously based out of Walled Lake, Michigan, where the company has rented office space since July after announcing the transition of aircraft development and certification activities from Williams International to Eclipse.
“My team and I are very pleased to be here,” said Dr. Oliver Masefield, vice president of engineering. “It greatly benefited the program to develop the airframe and engine under one roof, but now that the design work is basically complete, the place of engineering is beside our colleagues in manufacturing and purchasing to ensure the smoothest possible transition into production and the testing of the first aircraft.”
Eclipse plans to assemble the certification and production aircraft for the first few years from its Sunport International facility. The company will build its permanent headquarters and manufacturing facility at Double Eagle II airport located on Albuquerque's West side.
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.