Mon, Jul 24, 2006
First Customer Eclipse 500 Takes Flight
Eclipse Aviation tells
ANN that the maiden flight of its first customer aircraft took
place on Sunday. An eager crowd of Eclipse employees gathered to
witness the successful flight of the first Eclipse 500 production
aircraft with John Keiser as Pilot in Command. This jet flew for
1.5 hours while reaching Mach 0.62 and climbing to its maximum
altitude of 41,000 feet. All systems were operated multiple times
without any flaws.
The flight marks an important milestone for Eclipse Aviation and
its first customer, David Crowe. Eclipse is rapidly approaching FAA
certification, and delivery of Crowe's aircraft will follow shortly
after.
Earlier this year, Crowe visited Eclipse to celebrate the
initiation of production on his aircraft. "As Eclipse's first
customer, it has been great to witness the company's persistence
and growth over the last six years. This is an exciting time for
the company and a very rewarding moment for me - I never lost my
confidence in Eclipse and the wait is now paying off," said
Crowe.
"I was just in Albuquerque two weeks ago watching the
manufacturing team putting the final touches on my Eclipse 500. I
can't wait to fly my jet."
Eclipse is leveraging advanced manufacturing methods not
traditionally used in aviation to dramatically increase
manufacturing efficiency, including moving assembly lines and
robotics. At its Albuquerque, New Mexico headquarters, the
company's state-of-the-art production system is humming with
activity as Eclipse readies additional jets for customer delivery.
Nine additional production aircraft are in various assembly
positions on the Eclipse 500 production line, with two in final
assembly stage.
"To achieve this maiden flight is enormously gratifying," said
Vern Raburn, president and CEO of Eclipse Aviation.
"This is a journey that is thrilling and challenging on levels
that none of us could have ever imagined. I am so proud of this
team and the unrelenting determination that they continue to
demonstrate."
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