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Eclipse Aviation Corporation Launches Eclipse 500, Breakthrough Jet Aircraft For General Aviation And “Air Limousine†Markets
Company Launch Boosted By $60 Million in Initial Development Funding Plus Development Contract with Williams International
SCOTTSDALE, AZ - March 6, 2000 - Eclipse Aviation Corporation formally launched today, with its Eclipse 500 aircraft development program, designed to apply technological breakthroughs in creating a series of safe, reliable, low cost, jet aircraft that will enable transformation of the U. S. air transportation system.
Eclipse is backed by a group of high technology, auto and aerospace executives with initial funding of $60 million. In addition, the company has a development contract with Williams International, the leading supplier of small jet engines for the military and commercial markets. Under the agreement, Williams will design and produce the powerful, highly efficient EJ22 turbofan engine for Eclipse and also design, develop and certify both the aircraft and the company's production facilities.
The Eclipse 500, first in the company's line of small, highly efficient aircraft, is a twin engine jet, with six passenger capacity, 368 kt (423 mph) cruising speed, a 41,000 foot service ceiling and a range of 1,800 nautical (2,070 statute) miles. Built using advanced, high volume manufacturing techniques, with an all glass cockpit, and avionics and operating systems derived from the computer industry, the Eclipse 500 will transport passengers in automobile-like comfort for a cost that is typically less than that of a full fare commercial airline ticket. Aircraft cost is projected to be $775,000 (year 2000 dollars) when commercial delivery begins in 2003.
The Eclipse 500 Jet is designed to serve both the existing general aviation market and a new market, which the company terms the "air limousine" concept. Air limo service will be provided by new or current companies utilizing Eclipse's aircraft to provide air travelers with an alternative for on demand, point-to-point air travel that is fast, convenient and safe.
Esther Dyson, of EDVenture Holdings, a leading commentator on the role of information technology in society, said, "Over the past century, the world was busy building systems to benefit from economies of scale; any car you want as long as it's black; any dress you want as long as you're the same size all over, any flight you want as long as it fits in with American's hub-and-spokes system and routing algorithms. With the advent of information technology and the internet, the balance of power is reversing. Individuals can get the benefits of economies of scale for themselves, on their own specific terms. Products and services -from cars to air routes - can be customized for individuals and still delivered cost-effectively. In the case of aviation, that starts with low-cost, high performance airplanes. What the PC did for computing, Eclipse can do for mass-market travel."
Vern Raburn, president and CEO of Eclipse, is a recognized leader in both the aviation and high technology communities. One of the first Microsoft executives, he was president of the Consumer Products Division, and also also held senior executive positions at Lotus Development, Symantec, Slate and the Paul Allen Group. He is currently a director of the Experimental Aircraft Association, and of Warbirds of America.
"Eclipse," said Raburn, "is using disruptive technologies to drive major change in the way that air transportation works in the United States. The EJ22 engine, developed by Williams International, is just one of three such technologies being deployed by Eclipse. We will also use high volume, low cost advanced manufacturing techniques to produce an airframe with vastly superior operating characteristics and extremely low operating costs. The technological leadership of the Eclipse 500 will be further enhanced by a fully integrated digital avionics and operations suite that will greatly enhance safety and reduce pilot load during operations.
"In addition to those technologies," Raburn continued, "we will be applying management principles from the high technology sector, creating a "virtual corporation" that draws the best skills from wherever they exist and that partners with suppliers and others in the truest sense of the word. The result will be a series of aircraft that are affordable for the individual owner/operator pilot and that will foster the development of a completely new kind of commercial air travel, a limousine of the air."
Daniel S. Goldin, NASA Administrator, said today's announcement signals "the next step in achieving the vision I set out a few years ago, where safe, affordable, jet-powered small aircraft travel is available to anyone, anytime, anywhere." Goldin noted that NASA's budget for fiscal 2001, unveiled on Feb. 7, includes funding for the start of a program called Small Air Transportation System or SATS, which is designed to revolutionize U.S. air travel and relies on planes like the aircraft under development by Eclipse. "I believe this will be the first of many entrepreneurial programs resulting from NASA's investment in general aviation technology," said Goldin.
Dr. Oliver Masefield, vice president of engineering, leads the Eclipse 500 development team as a joint employee of Williams International and Eclipse. Temporarily housed in a separated area dedicated to Eclipse at Williams International, the team will move to Eclipse facilities at an appropriate time. Dr. Masefield, formerly vice president, member of the executive board and head of research and development at Pilatus Aircraft, has almost 30 years experience in aircraft design, development and manufacture.
Eclipse's board of directors bring experience in the aerospace, high technology and automotive markets. In addition to Raburn, the directors include Chairman Harold Poling, retired chairman and CEO of Ford Motor Company; Dr. Sam Williams, chairman and CEO of Williams International; Kent Kresa, chairman, president and CEO of Northrop Grumman; and Alfred Mann, chairman and CEO of MiniMed.
It is expected that the first commercial delivery of the Eclipse 500 will occur by mid-2003. Orders are currently being accepted for the aircraft.
Eclipse is backed by a group of high technology, auto and aerospace executives with initial funding of $60 million. In addition, the company has a development contract with Williams International, the leading supplier of small jet engines for the military and commercial markets. Under the agreement, Williams will design and produce the powerful, highly efficient EJ22 turbofan engine for Eclipse and also design, develop and certify both the aircraft and the company's production facilities.
The Eclipse 500, first in the company's line of small, highly efficient aircraft, is a twin engine jet, with six passenger capacity, 368 kt (423 mph) cruising speed, a 41,000 foot service ceiling and a range of 1,800 nautical (2,070 statute) miles. Built using advanced, high volume manufacturing techniques, with an all glass cockpit, and avionics and operating systems derived from the computer industry, the Eclipse 500 will transport passengers in automobile-like comfort for a cost that is typically less than that of a full fare commercial airline ticket. Aircraft cost is projected to be $775,000 (year 2000 dollars) when commercial delivery begins in 2003.
The Eclipse 500 Jet is designed to serve both the existing general aviation market and a new market, which the company terms the "air limousine" concept. Air limo service will be provided by new or current companies utilizing Eclipse's aircraft to provide air travelers with an alternative for on demand, point-to-point air travel that is fast, convenient and safe.
Esther Dyson, of EDVenture Holdings, a leading commentator on the role of information technology in society, said, "Over the past century, the world was busy building systems to benefit from economies of scale; any car you want as long as it's black; any dress you want as long as you're the same size all over, any flight you want as long as it fits in with American's hub-and-spokes system and routing algorithms. With the advent of information technology and the internet, the balance of power is reversing. Individuals can get the benefits of economies of scale for themselves, on their own specific terms. Products and services -from cars to air routes - can be customized for individuals and still delivered cost-effectively. In the case of aviation, that starts with low-cost, high performance airplanes. What the PC did for computing, Eclipse can do for mass-market travel."
Vern Raburn, president and CEO of Eclipse, is a recognized leader in both the aviation and high technology communities. One of the first Microsoft executives, he was president of the Consumer Products Division, and also also held senior executive positions at Lotus Development, Symantec, Slate and the Paul Allen Group. He is currently a director of the Experimental Aircraft Association, and of Warbirds of America.
"Eclipse," said Raburn, "is using disruptive technologies to drive major change in the way that air transportation works in the United States. The EJ22 engine, developed by Williams International, is just one of three such technologies being deployed by Eclipse. We will also use high volume, low cost advanced manufacturing techniques to produce an airframe with vastly superior operating characteristics and extremely low operating costs. The technological leadership of the Eclipse 500 will be further enhanced by a fully integrated digital avionics and operations suite that will greatly enhance safety and reduce pilot load during operations.
"In addition to those technologies," Raburn continued, "we will be applying management principles from the high technology sector, creating a "virtual corporation" that draws the best skills from wherever they exist and that partners with suppliers and others in the truest sense of the word. The result will be a series of aircraft that are affordable for the individual owner/operator pilot and that will foster the development of a completely new kind of commercial air travel, a limousine of the air."
Daniel S. Goldin, NASA Administrator, said today's announcement signals "the next step in achieving the vision I set out a few years ago, where safe, affordable, jet-powered small aircraft travel is available to anyone, anytime, anywhere." Goldin noted that NASA's budget for fiscal 2001, unveiled on Feb. 7, includes funding for the start of a program called Small Air Transportation System or SATS, which is designed to revolutionize U.S. air travel and relies on planes like the aircraft under development by Eclipse. "I believe this will be the first of many entrepreneurial programs resulting from NASA's investment in general aviation technology," said Goldin.
Dr. Oliver Masefield, vice president of engineering, leads the Eclipse 500 development team as a joint employee of Williams International and Eclipse. Temporarily housed in a separated area dedicated to Eclipse at Williams International, the team will move to Eclipse facilities at an appropriate time. Dr. Masefield, formerly vice president, member of the executive board and head of research and development at Pilatus Aircraft, has almost 30 years experience in aircraft design, development and manufacture.
Eclipse's board of directors bring experience in the aerospace, high technology and automotive markets. In addition to Raburn, the directors include Chairman Harold Poling, retired chairman and CEO of Ford Motor Company; Dr. Sam Williams, chairman and CEO of Williams International; Kent Kresa, chairman, president and CEO of Northrop Grumman; and Alfred Mann, chairman and CEO of MiniMed.
It is expected that the first commercial delivery of the Eclipse 500 will occur by mid-2003. Orders are currently being accepted for the aircraft.
About Eclipse:
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.