Company Honored For Innovation In General Aviation

Although they couldn't all attend the festivities in Washington, DC last week, employees at Eclipse Aviation were able to join with their families and watch, via satellite, as CEO Vern Raburn accepted the Robert J. Collier Trophy from David Ivey, president and CEO of the National Aeronautic Association (NAA).

"I am truly humbled to be here tonight, and to see Eclipse Aviation join the company of such an inspiring and historic group of aviation pioneers," said Raburn. "As someone who has had a passion for aviation since I was a very young boy, this is an unforgettable moment that I am proud to share with the amazing team of employees, customers and partners who have made the dream of this company and this airplane a reality." 

Since 1911, the NAA has awarded the Collier Trophy -- considered by many to be the "Oscar of aviation" -- each year for the greatest achievement in aeronautics and astronautics in America. Past recipients have included Orville Wright, Glenn Curtiss, Kelly Johnson, Scott Crossfield, Chuck Yeager, Neil Armstrong, John Glenn and Burt Rutan.

This year, the NAA selection committee, comprised of the most respected and accomplished aviation professionals, chose Eclipse as the Collier Trophy recipient "for innovation in the advancement of general aviation through the design, development and manufacture of the Eclipse 500 -- the world's first very light jet (VLJ)."

Representatives with Eclipse told ANN that more than 1,000 people in Washington and Albuquerque witnessed the presentation of the Collier Trophy to Eclipse Aviation. Attendees of the Washington event included Senator Pete Domenici, Congressman Steve Pearce, Air Force Secretary Michael Wynne, Air Force Vice Chief of Staff John Corley, United Technologies President Louis Chênevert and FAA Administrator Marion Blakey.

The trophy is named for publisher Robert J. Collier, the first person to purchase a private airplane from the Wright Brothers. Collier believed that the "flying machine" should be developed for "America's economic advancement and preservation."

FMI: www.naa.org, www.eclipseaviation.com