First Eclipse 500 Lands In Russia
Eclipse Aviation and European Technology and Investment Research
Center (ETIRC) Aviation are speeding ahead with plans to launch
operations in Russia. On Thursday, the two companies held a joint
press conference in Ulyanovsk, Russia to announce progress toward
establishing an Eclipse 500 manufacturing facility outside of the
United States.
As ANN reported, the
companies announced their intent to build an international
production site on January 14, as part of a significant investment
by ETIRC in the fledgling very-light jet manufacturer.
This week, Eclipse Aviation President and CEO Vern Raburn, and
ETIRC Aviation Chairman Roel Pieper, traveled to Russia to meet in
Ulyanovsk with federal officials and local administrators to
discuss the steps necessary to establish a factory in that
area.
One of the necessary steps is the completion of a process,
already underway, that will also establish a special free trade
zone in Ulyanovsk, a project that has been supported strongly by
the Governor of Ulyanovsk Sergey Morozov. Raburn and Pieper's
meetings in Ulyanovsk included a visit to the Ulyanovsk-Vostochny
International Airport to evaluate possible factory site
locations.
After visiting several viable sites, the team chose what they
consider to be a prime location for a future Eclipse 500
manufacturing facility. A final agreement is expected within the
next few months.
Also this week, Eclipse Aviation and ETIRC Aviation revealed its
pilots flew an ETIRC Eclipse 500 to Ulyanovsk on February 18
(tail number N514EA -- Ed.) in advance of
the press conference. Since the jet's arrival in Ulyanovsk, ETIRC
says it has provided numerous demonstration flights to Russian
officials and media representatives to let them experience the
Eclipse 500 firsthand.
"Our visit to Ulyanovsk and the very
productive meetings we have held here reflect our commitment to
rapidly increase the global reach and impact of the Eclipse 500,"
said Raburn. "This week's progress also signifies the advancement
of our recently expanded relationship with ETIRC Aviation, a
partnership that will be instrumental in helping Eclipse reach its
global volume production goals."
"It is an incredible feeling to welcome ETIRC Aviation's first
Eclipse 500 jet to Russia, and to hear Vern personally share his
passion for this amazing aircraft. I am excited to introduce many
people here in Russia to the Eclipse 500," said Pieper.
During Thursday's conference, Raburn and Pieper joined Sergey
Morozov, Governor of Ulyanovsk; Sergey Stepashin, Chairman of the
Accounts Chamber of the Russian Federation; and Sergey Ryabukhin,
Auditor of the Accounts Chamber of the Russian Federation.
Stepashin was presented with a ceremonial aluminum brick (shown
below) that contains separate plates with engravings of the names
of those present. The brick will ultimately be built into the wall
of a new Eclipse 500 production facility in Russia.
ETIRC Aviation is the exclusive provider of sales, customer
service, maintenance support and flight training for the Eclipse
500 in the United Kingdom, the Russian Federation, the Republic of
Turkey and in the countries of Western and Eastern Europe and the
Commonwealth of Independent States. A key element of the
Eclipse/ETIRC partnership announced in January grants ETIRC
Aviation the right to establish local assembly of the Eclipse 500
within its region.
Both companies state the increased production capability will
allow Eclipse and ETIRC Aviation to meet the growing demand for the
Eclipse 500 in Europe, Russia and Turkey.
ANN's Daily Aero-Linx (04.15.24)
See All