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Eclipse Aviation Corporation
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Andrew.Broom@EclipseAviation.com
Eclipse Community Celebrates as Eclipse 500 Earns Full FAA Type
Certification
Eclipse customers, investors,
partners and employees gather in
Albuquerque as major company milestone
is achieved
ALBUQUERQUE, NM — September 30, 2006 —
Today Eclipse Aviation, manufacturer of
the world’s first very light jet (VLJ),
received the full Type Certification for
the Eclipse 500 from the Federal
Aviation Administration (FAA). The Type
Certificate was presented to Eclipse at
its company headquarters in Albuquerque,
New Mexico during a customer celebration
that is being held this weekend.
“In spite of the hurdles we’ve
encountered and those that still lie
ahead, this is a day to reflect on what
has been accomplished,” said Vern Raburn,
president and CEO of Eclipse Aviation.
“We successfully launched a new aviation
company, developed and certified a truly
revolutionary aircraft and created a
whole new market segment that helped
return relevancy and growth to general
aviation.”
This FAA Type Certification clears
the Eclipse 500 throughout the full
operating envelope with:
-Single pilot operations
-Day and night operations
-Visual and instrument flight rules (VFR/IFR)
operations
-Group reduced vertical separation
minimum (RVSM) certification
In addition to this Eclipse 500
certification, the FAA has qualified the
Eclipse 500 to noise levels well below
Stage 4 limits.
The Eclipse 500 manufacturing line is
tooled and designed for high-volume,
low-cost production, and Eclipse will
start delivering customer aircraft
shortly. Over the next few years, the
company will focus on fulfilling the
over 2,500 orders customers have already
placed for this revolutionary jet.
“To all the members of the Eclipse
community who are gathered with us today
in Albuquerque, and those that are with
us in spirit around the world, I want to
express my deep gratitude for all the
innovative thinking, unwavering
encouragement and arduous work that made
this unforgettable day possible,” said
Peg Billson, COO of Eclipse Aviation.
To create the Eclipse 500, Eclipse
used technologies and business practices
forged in the technology industry to
drive down cost while increasing
performance. Eclipse has applied
innovation across every facet of its
business to offer customers a
state-of-the-art jet for a fraction of
the acquisition, operating and ownership
costs of competitive aircraft. For just
$1.52 million, Eclipse 500 delivers a
maximum cruise speed of 370 knots, can
carry up to six occupants, and has a
generous range of 1,125 nautical miles.
Designed to land at more than 10,000
airports around the U.S., the jet is
setting records for low aircraft noise,
engine smoke emissions and cabin sound.
About Eclipse
Eclipse Aviation, manufacturer of the
world's first certified very light jet,
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.
Contact Eclipse at
http://www.eclipseaviation.com.
###
Eclipse Aviation Corporation,
Eclipse, Eclipse 500, Avio, JetComplete,
and PhostrEx are trademarks of Eclipse
Aviation Corporation. |