Sun, Jul 30, 2006
Eclipse Joins ANN's Team of Elite Oshkosh Special Coverage
Sponsors
The Eclipse 500 VLJ started the very-light-jet movement that
dominates industry talk today. Six years ago Eclipse Aviation made
its first appearance at AirVenture Oshkosh proclaiming its "New Way
to Fly" campaign.
At that time, Eclipse's president and CEO Vern Raburn was
convinced that advances in turbine engines, digital technology,
high-volume manufacturing and high-technology business practices
could be used to create a whole new breed of aircraft and
company. And now the dream of Eclipse Aviation and the
Eclipse 500 is a reality.
With FAA certification anticipated any day now (we mean it...
it's down to hours, from what we hear), we're expecting to see
these beautiful little jets showing up real soon at FBOs across the
country -- many of them as air taxis, but a lot of them in the
hands of private pilots, too.
SEE The Amazing Eclipse 500
at
Main Aircraft Display Area 253-259, 262-268
And now... ANN has learned that the first customer aircraft has
taken to the skies on the eve of the Eclipse's upcoming FAA Type
Certification.
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.
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