All Hail The Aero-Heroes of 2010!
Final Compilations by ANN
Editor-In-Chief/Trouble-Maker, Jim Campbell
It is both the most "fun," and most
difficult, task facing the ANN staff at the end of every year --
determining who, or what, did the most to promote the cause of
aviation in the past 365 days... while also chastising those people
or entities that did all they could to undermine the many successes
the aviation/aerospace community has managed to accomplish.
Thankfully, 2010 was a year in which we saw the best and brightest
among us step forward and work tirelessly on behalf of us all. No
doubt about it... the challenges we faced in 2010 were numerous,
and ongoing... so was the quality of expertise and passion brought
to our defense by those who heroically demonstrated to the world
the very best side of aviation... via their deeds, words and
actions.
It is ANN's honor to recognize Ten persons/organizations or groups
that qualify as our Aero-Heroes for 2010... in something of
an informal order -- Saving the 'best' for last. Let us know what
you think of our selections... whom YOU would have liked be
included or omitted from such a list. In the meantime, we thank the
folks who made this year's list. Thank you, folks... we really
needed you this year, and you didn't let us down.
ANN will list our Top Ten choices over the next few day's, but
in order to kick off the New Year right, let's enjoy another
selection from our Heroes List for 2010...
Aero-Hero: Mason Holland and The Resurrection of The
Eclipse 500
There IS Life After Bankruptcy! When Vern Raburn's magnificent
little dream jet project folded under the weight of some truly
miserable behavior by pseudo-savior ETIRC Aviation Chairman Roel
Pieper (whose tenure with the program may go down as one of the
most botched efforts in BizAv history), most thought that was the
least they'd seen of the little pocket-rocket. And that's the LAST
thing that those of us who actually got to know the airplane wanted
to see happen... because despite the bad taste left by all the
political crap and Pieper mis-handling/alleged frauds, it was a
helluva fine flying machine.
But... in September of 2009, a group of Eclipse owners, former
deposit holders (including eventual Eclipse Aerospace Boss Mason
Holland) and investors formed Eclipse Aerospace International--
which subsequently purchased the assets from the shuttered
company.
Their first goal was to re-establish service, support and the
parts supply chain. This, they did. And there is definite progress
on their second major goal (restarting production), though the
company is careful not to tip their hand at this point or engage in
any claims until they're ready to prove them. In the meantime,
Holland's flock has unveiled the "Total Eclipse." The Total Eclipse
is a fully configured EA500 aircraft that 'encompasses all
currently available features and functionality.'
Specific components include flight to 41,000 feet, 20,000 cycle
airframe life and an on-board color radar, electronic moving maps
and eCharts (Jeppesen) all presented directly on the EA500
multifunction display. The Total Eclipse is priced at $2.15
million, including a factory warranty.
As regards their second goal -- to re-start production of
the EA-500 aircraft -- this, we fully expect them to do. The
progress they have made toward that goal has been extraordinary.
Just a few months ago, Eclipse started the final steps towards
'finishing' the airplane that was promised many years ago... and
the most positive step, of late, was the offering of a completed
Integrated Flight Management System (FMS). The AvioNG Integrated
FMS provides coupled LPV approach, Airway/Victor route navigation,
RNP (Auto/Manual), holding patterns and procedure turns, parallel
offsets, storage for ninety-nine flight plans, user defined
waypoints, nearest airports and navigation aids, OBS mode, present
and on-route information. The system includes enhanced graphics
such as integrated on-route e-charts, e-charts overlaid on the
moving map, freezing levels, winds aloft, stormscope display,
progressive zooming, and Canadian NexRad/Metars and TAFs.
That impressed the heck out of everyone... but within hours of
that announcement, Holland's Eclipse crew blew the doors off NBAA
2010 with an amazing, surprise, announcement. With little warning,
Mason Holland stood up in front of god and everybody and announced
that mighty Sikorsky Aircraft was buying into little ol' Eclipse.
Uh, wow. Mind you, Sikorsky Boss Jeff Pino, is an Eclipse
Owner/Pilot, and nobody loves an Eclipse like a guy with some time
in the bird... but the combination of a hungry, innovative program
like Eclipse Aerospace with an Aerospace powerhouse like Sikorsky
boggles the mind. “We are elated about this potential new
venture with Sikorsky Aircraft and the phenomenal reach we can
extend to Eclipse Jet owners by access to the global service,
support and supply chain network of Sikorsky,” stated Mason
Holland, Chairman and CEO of Eclipse Aerospace. “With the
closing of this agreement we would have it all -- a phenomenal fuel
efficient twin-engine jet, an enthusiastic customer base and a
fantastic support staff, all coupled with the depth and strength of
a sound and experienced partner, Sikorsky Aircraft!”
From here on out... the once cloudy skies over the Eclipse
program have given way to bright shiny skies and prospects... and
the spirit of Mason Holland's Eclipse Aerospace team has to be
lauded and congratulated for keeping one of the best little jets in
the world alive and kicking. We look forward to seeing Eclipse on
this list a number of times in the future... In a year with so much
bad news, what was once errantly known as 'Holland's Folly' now
appears to be on its way to carving out a long-term place for
itself in aviation's future... and we couldn't be more pleased.
ANN's Daily Aero-Linx (04.16.24)
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