Eclipse Aviation News
Press Contact:
Eclipse Aviation Achieves Eclipse 500 Program Milestones and Accelerates Towards FAA Certification
100% of production suppliers selected; one quarter of FAA certification work complete; production ramp increased to satisfy customer demand
LAS VEGAS, NV - October 11, 2004 - Eclipse Aviation Corporation, manufacturer of the Eclipse 500 very light jet (VLJ), today announced a series of program milestones that underscore its rapid progress towards the certification and delivery of the Eclipse 500 twin-engine jet in Q1 2006.
In describing the significance of these milestones for Eclipse, Vern Raburn, the company's president and CEO said, “We pioneered the quickly growing VLJ category and today's announcement reflects our unwavering commitment to certify our aircraft on schedule. The Eclipse 500 program is progressing very well.”
Eclipse announced four pivotal program milestones:
- The completion of Eclipse's production supplier selection process ? the company has now selected the 65 suppliers who will provide structures and systems for the production aircraft.
- The finalization of one quarter of all required FAA certification work. This includes approval of three key compliance reports ? Aircraft Functional Hazard Assessment, Systems Functional Hazard Assessment and Systems Criticality Assessment ? along with approved compliance reports for a number of aircraft systems.
- The validation of Eclipse's advanced manufacturing methods, which have enabled the company to make rapid progress in the production of Eclipse's test fleet. As of October 1, 2004, Eclipse had seven pre-production test aircraft in manufacturing and had completed all friction stir welding on the first flight test aircraft that will fly with the PW610F engines.
- Eclipse has committed to accelerate the Eclipse 500 production ramp, based on its validation of the aircraft design and manufacturing system for high volume production. This will move 99 percent of current orders forward, and move delivery positions for new aircraft orders forward seven months, from September 2008 to February 2008.
Raburn commented, “Our supplier base is set, our certification program is advancing on schedule and we have proven the validity of our advanced manufacturing processes and infrastructure. From the beginning, we have pursued strategies directed at moving more quickly to full-rate production, and today we are publicly announcing our intent to do so. This is great news for our customers, who will receive their aircraft earlier than projected.”
Production Supplier Sourcing 100 Percent Complete
Eclipse has selected the 65 suppliers for Eclipse 500 production, and has committed the vast majority of these partners to long-term agreements. Reflecting Eclipse's strategy to create a worldwide best-in-class supplier base, the suppliers are global in reach, with approximately 13 vendors abroad and 52 in the U.S. This supplier team will be providing Eclipse with 100 percent FAA conforming parts for its fleet of pre-production aircraft.
Eclipse 500 Certification Program Moves Forward
Prior to resuming flight testing, Eclipse has completed one quarter of the total FAA certification work that will culminate in the type certificate approval of the Eclipse 500 in March 2006. Eclipse has worked closely with the FAA to establish the certification processes and requirements. Eclipse has submitted 96% of certification plans and received FAA approval on more than two thirds. Almost half of compliance plans are approved, compliance testing is well underway in conjunction with suppliers, and final compliance reports have been issued for 21 items.
Manufacturing System Validated, Eclipse Accelerates Production Ramp
To more quickly meet the strong customer demand for the Eclipse 500, Eclipse will accelerate the production ramp for the Eclipse 500. The company currently has an order backlog of more than 2,100 aircraft. Under the seasoned manufacturing leadership of VP of Operations Rod Holter, Eclipse has validated its strategy to leverage advanced manufacturing methods including: moving assembly lines; lean manufacturing principles; and modular sub-assemblies provided by key manufacturing partners.
“From the beginning, the manufacturability of the Eclipse 500 has been paramount. Both the aircraft design and our manufacturing system were conceived to deliver scalable, high-volume production,” said Raburn. “Our strong capitalization has enabled us to invest in the world-class production tooling, infrastructure and talent needed to make our original manufacturing vision into a reality. We chose to be conservative in our projected ramp until we could test our progressive manufacturing processes, but everything we've learned from our test fleet production experience validates our initial strategy and we're confident we will achieve a sustainable ramp.”
Eclipse will deliver the first production Eclipse 500 aircraft in March, 2006 followed by 260 aircraft in the first 12 months of production, 880 aircraft over the second 12 months and up to four aircraft per day thereafter in the current facilities. This translates into earlier deliveries for 99 percent of current customers, and a projected
February 2008 delivery for new customers. This is seven months earlier than the September 2008 timeframe previously projected.
In describing the significance of these milestones for Eclipse, Vern Raburn, the company's president and CEO said, “We pioneered the quickly growing VLJ category and today's announcement reflects our unwavering commitment to certify our aircraft on schedule. The Eclipse 500 program is progressing very well.”
Eclipse announced four pivotal program milestones:
- The completion of Eclipse's production supplier selection process ? the company has now selected the 65 suppliers who will provide structures and systems for the production aircraft.
- The finalization of one quarter of all required FAA certification work. This includes approval of three key compliance reports ? Aircraft Functional Hazard Assessment, Systems Functional Hazard Assessment and Systems Criticality Assessment ? along with approved compliance reports for a number of aircraft systems.
- The validation of Eclipse's advanced manufacturing methods, which have enabled the company to make rapid progress in the production of Eclipse's test fleet. As of October 1, 2004, Eclipse had seven pre-production test aircraft in manufacturing and had completed all friction stir welding on the first flight test aircraft that will fly with the PW610F engines.
- Eclipse has committed to accelerate the Eclipse 500 production ramp, based on its validation of the aircraft design and manufacturing system for high volume production. This will move 99 percent of current orders forward, and move delivery positions for new aircraft orders forward seven months, from September 2008 to February 2008.
Raburn commented, “Our supplier base is set, our certification program is advancing on schedule and we have proven the validity of our advanced manufacturing processes and infrastructure. From the beginning, we have pursued strategies directed at moving more quickly to full-rate production, and today we are publicly announcing our intent to do so. This is great news for our customers, who will receive their aircraft earlier than projected.”
Production Supplier Sourcing 100 Percent Complete
Eclipse has selected the 65 suppliers for Eclipse 500 production, and has committed the vast majority of these partners to long-term agreements. Reflecting Eclipse's strategy to create a worldwide best-in-class supplier base, the suppliers are global in reach, with approximately 13 vendors abroad and 52 in the U.S. This supplier team will be providing Eclipse with 100 percent FAA conforming parts for its fleet of pre-production aircraft.
Eclipse 500 Certification Program Moves Forward
Prior to resuming flight testing, Eclipse has completed one quarter of the total FAA certification work that will culminate in the type certificate approval of the Eclipse 500 in March 2006. Eclipse has worked closely with the FAA to establish the certification processes and requirements. Eclipse has submitted 96% of certification plans and received FAA approval on more than two thirds. Almost half of compliance plans are approved, compliance testing is well underway in conjunction with suppliers, and final compliance reports have been issued for 21 items.
Manufacturing System Validated, Eclipse Accelerates Production Ramp
To more quickly meet the strong customer demand for the Eclipse 500, Eclipse will accelerate the production ramp for the Eclipse 500. The company currently has an order backlog of more than 2,100 aircraft. Under the seasoned manufacturing leadership of VP of Operations Rod Holter, Eclipse has validated its strategy to leverage advanced manufacturing methods including: moving assembly lines; lean manufacturing principles; and modular sub-assemblies provided by key manufacturing partners.
“From the beginning, the manufacturability of the Eclipse 500 has been paramount. Both the aircraft design and our manufacturing system were conceived to deliver scalable, high-volume production,” said Raburn. “Our strong capitalization has enabled us to invest in the world-class production tooling, infrastructure and talent needed to make our original manufacturing vision into a reality. We chose to be conservative in our projected ramp until we could test our progressive manufacturing processes, but everything we've learned from our test fleet production experience validates our initial strategy and we're confident we will achieve a sustainable ramp.”
Eclipse will deliver the first production Eclipse 500 aircraft in March, 2006 followed by 260 aircraft in the first 12 months of production, 880 aircraft over the second 12 months and up to four aircraft per day thereafter in the current facilities. This translates into earlier deliveries for 99 percent of current customers, and a projected
February 2008 delivery for new customers. This is seven months earlier than the September 2008 timeframe previously projected.
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.