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Eclipse Unveils Unique Customer Care Program for Eclipse 500 Jet Operators
Company announces JetComplete, a comprehensive, one-stop customer care program that combines both operational support and maintenance into one offering
OSHKOSH, WI - July 26, 2005 - Eclipse Aviation, manufacturer of the revolutionary Eclipse 500 very light jet (VLJ), today announced JetComplete, a revolutionary customer care program that combines both operational support and aircraft maintenance into one complete offering. JetComplete operators can expect to reduce the cost of ownership by up to 30% when compared to customers flying without JetComplete coverage. The program provides virtually everything customers will need to operate and maintain their Eclipse 500 jet at a fixed, guaranteed price. Customers who are in JetComplete will have the convenience of one bill for a comprehensive suite of products and services.
“JetComplete demonstrates our commitment to conclusively change the jet ownership value proposition from purchase of an Eclipse 500 through the life of the aircraft” said Vern Raburn, Eclipse Aviation president and CEO. “We are applying Eclipse's value philosophy ? a better product at a lower cost ? across all aspects of aircraft ownership, including flight operations, maintenance, insurance and training”
Available to all Eclipse 500 operators, JetComplete has been designed to provide comprehensive coverage of the direct operational and maintenance needs. The selected components that make up the JetComplete program are designed to support the expected differences in aircraft utilization from 100 to 1,000 flight hours per year, all for one low fixed price. Vice President of Sales and Customer Support, Mike McConnell explains, “Aircraft operators are tired of the hassle of being the system integrator for their aircraft's maintenance, flight training and multiple service vendors. JetComplete delivers convenience and financial predictability to reduce the overall complexity of jet aircraft ownership, thereby saving up to 30% in overall ownership costs. We listened to our customers and continued the value proposition at the operational level.”
Convenience
At the heart of the JetComplete is the “one stop” single point of contact; which greatly simplifies managing the Eclipse 500 aircraft. Eclipse Customer Care representatives or Eclipse Flight Support Briefers will be available 24 hours per day to assist with all aspects of Eclipse 500 ownership. This includes flight planning, weather briefings, concierge services, billing questions, technical support, priority AOG response, and scheduling of aircraft and engine maintenance and flight training activities.
JetComplete Products and Services
JetComplete includes the six products and services listed below:
Eclipse Flight Support (EFS) - a new service offered exclusively through JetComplete, provides airline-like dispatch services for Eclipse operators. EFS Briefers understand the needs of the Eclipse 500 pilot, and are available to provide personalized domestic weather briefings, flight-plan filing, slot reservations, diversion assistance, fuel stop planning, and flight-related arrangements at the destination such as hangar rentals and ground transportation to and from the airport. Additionally, EFS Briefers can assist pilots with maintenance and training scheduling as well as tracking aircraft component life limits and pilot currency requirements. Operators may also specify personal or corporate minimums, duty day time limits, and other criteria that may assist the briefer in providing a safety-oriented, individualized briefing.
Eclipse 500 Maintenance - Included is comprehensive scheduled and unscheduled maintenance coverage on parts and labor for the airframe, avionics, and engines. Coverage also includes rental engines, free consumables during shop visits, shipping, automated trending services, and financial protection against unforeseen critical service bulletins. Coverage for engine hot section and overhaul events is available through JetComplete from Pratt & Whitney Canada as an option for an additional $94 per flight hour per aircraft. “ P&WC is pleased to support Eclipse's JetComplete program and leverage our extensive network in delivering maintenance services for all Eclipse 500 customers" states Benoit Brossoit, Vice President Service Centers Pratt & Whitney Canada.
OneCall AOG - While all Eclipse customers will receive 7x24 AOG logistics and technical phone support and overnight parts delivery, JetComplete customers will enjoy a new level of service called OneCall AOG Service. Using this service, JetComplete customers simply make a single call to an Eclipse Customer Care representative who will manage all of the arrangements to repair the aircraft and return it to service. An additional benefit of OneCall AOG is the ability for the customer to engage a 24-hour return to service option.
Training - JetComplete includes three recurrent pilot training classes during the three-year term. Additional pilot training is available for a 30% discount off of the published list price.
Additional Discounts
Customers participating in the JetComplete program will be able to increase their savings by taking advantage of substantial discounts on enhanced hull and liability insurance from Eclipse partners Willis and AIG and pre-negotiated fuel discounts from participating FBOs. "Willis is excited about what Jet Complete brings to Eclipse owners. It not only promotes safer behavior, but it brings a consistent approach to general aviation flight operations similar to what is seen in the Part 121 world." said Joe Trotti, CEO of Willis Global Aviation, North America.
Additional pilot training will be offered at a 30% discount as well. "From an underwriting perspective, many services provided under Jet Complete will add to the flight safety for Eclipse 500 jet owners and operators," states Steve Blakey, President, AIG Aviation, Inc. "We view the Eclipse pilot training program as a valuable risk management tool and Jet Complete customers should qualify for our most favorable insurance rates."
Data services - Three years of Jeppesen electronic navigation data (North and South America coverage) and JeppView MFD (electronic approach charts for the 48 states) for the Eclipse Avio system are included in the price. JetComplete customers will receive XM WX Satellite Weather, Aviator edition with enrollment in JetComplete as well as on-line maintenance record access with enhanced aircraft management features.
Price for the Three Year Program
JetComplete represents a new value proposition in aircraft maintenance and operation costs. It is a three-year program and the price is guaranteed during the program term. The price is $34,500 or $115 per flight hour when three years of expected utilization are purchased up front (minimum of 300 hours total), and $125 per flight hour if paid monthly based on actual usage. JetComplete begins while the aircraft is in warranty with pricing set to reflect the normal warranty period and the third year when the aircraft is out of warranty. The JetComplete program is fully transferable to a new owner if the aircraft is sold within the three year term.
“JetComplete demonstrates our commitment to conclusively change the jet ownership value proposition from purchase of an Eclipse 500 through the life of the aircraft” said Vern Raburn, Eclipse Aviation president and CEO. “We are applying Eclipse's value philosophy ? a better product at a lower cost ? across all aspects of aircraft ownership, including flight operations, maintenance, insurance and training”
Available to all Eclipse 500 operators, JetComplete has been designed to provide comprehensive coverage of the direct operational and maintenance needs. The selected components that make up the JetComplete program are designed to support the expected differences in aircraft utilization from 100 to 1,000 flight hours per year, all for one low fixed price. Vice President of Sales and Customer Support, Mike McConnell explains, “Aircraft operators are tired of the hassle of being the system integrator for their aircraft's maintenance, flight training and multiple service vendors. JetComplete delivers convenience and financial predictability to reduce the overall complexity of jet aircraft ownership, thereby saving up to 30% in overall ownership costs. We listened to our customers and continued the value proposition at the operational level.”
Convenience
At the heart of the JetComplete is the “one stop” single point of contact; which greatly simplifies managing the Eclipse 500 aircraft. Eclipse Customer Care representatives or Eclipse Flight Support Briefers will be available 24 hours per day to assist with all aspects of Eclipse 500 ownership. This includes flight planning, weather briefings, concierge services, billing questions, technical support, priority AOG response, and scheduling of aircraft and engine maintenance and flight training activities.
JetComplete Products and Services
JetComplete includes the six products and services listed below:
Eclipse Flight Support (EFS) - a new service offered exclusively through JetComplete, provides airline-like dispatch services for Eclipse operators. EFS Briefers understand the needs of the Eclipse 500 pilot, and are available to provide personalized domestic weather briefings, flight-plan filing, slot reservations, diversion assistance, fuel stop planning, and flight-related arrangements at the destination such as hangar rentals and ground transportation to and from the airport. Additionally, EFS Briefers can assist pilots with maintenance and training scheduling as well as tracking aircraft component life limits and pilot currency requirements. Operators may also specify personal or corporate minimums, duty day time limits, and other criteria that may assist the briefer in providing a safety-oriented, individualized briefing.
Eclipse 500 Maintenance - Included is comprehensive scheduled and unscheduled maintenance coverage on parts and labor for the airframe, avionics, and engines. Coverage also includes rental engines, free consumables during shop visits, shipping, automated trending services, and financial protection against unforeseen critical service bulletins. Coverage for engine hot section and overhaul events is available through JetComplete from Pratt & Whitney Canada as an option for an additional $94 per flight hour per aircraft. “ P&WC is pleased to support Eclipse's JetComplete program and leverage our extensive network in delivering maintenance services for all Eclipse 500 customers" states Benoit Brossoit, Vice President Service Centers Pratt & Whitney Canada.
OneCall AOG - While all Eclipse customers will receive 7x24 AOG logistics and technical phone support and overnight parts delivery, JetComplete customers will enjoy a new level of service called OneCall AOG Service. Using this service, JetComplete customers simply make a single call to an Eclipse Customer Care representative who will manage all of the arrangements to repair the aircraft and return it to service. An additional benefit of OneCall AOG is the ability for the customer to engage a 24-hour return to service option.
Training - JetComplete includes three recurrent pilot training classes during the three-year term. Additional pilot training is available for a 30% discount off of the published list price.
Additional Discounts
Customers participating in the JetComplete program will be able to increase their savings by taking advantage of substantial discounts on enhanced hull and liability insurance from Eclipse partners Willis and AIG and pre-negotiated fuel discounts from participating FBOs. "Willis is excited about what Jet Complete brings to Eclipse owners. It not only promotes safer behavior, but it brings a consistent approach to general aviation flight operations similar to what is seen in the Part 121 world." said Joe Trotti, CEO of Willis Global Aviation, North America.
Additional pilot training will be offered at a 30% discount as well. "From an underwriting perspective, many services provided under Jet Complete will add to the flight safety for Eclipse 500 jet owners and operators," states Steve Blakey, President, AIG Aviation, Inc. "We view the Eclipse pilot training program as a valuable risk management tool and Jet Complete customers should qualify for our most favorable insurance rates."
Data services - Three years of Jeppesen electronic navigation data (North and South America coverage) and JeppView MFD (electronic approach charts for the 48 states) for the Eclipse Avio system are included in the price. JetComplete customers will receive XM WX Satellite Weather, Aviator edition with enrollment in JetComplete as well as on-line maintenance record access with enhanced aircraft management features.
Price for the Three Year Program
JetComplete represents a new value proposition in aircraft maintenance and operation costs. It is a three-year program and the price is guaranteed during the program term. The price is $34,500 or $115 per flight hour when three years of expected utilization are purchased up front (minimum of 300 hours total), and $125 per flight hour if paid monthly based on actual usage. JetComplete begins while the aircraft is in warranty with pricing set to reflect the normal warranty period and the third year when the aircraft is out of warranty. The JetComplete program is fully transferable to a new owner if the aircraft is sold within the three year term.
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 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.