Dole Foods Affiliate Orders Three E-500s... And They'll Service Them, Too

While most of the big news coming from Eclipse Aviation happened in the weeks leading up to the National Business Aviation Association's conference in Orlando, the Albuquerque, NM-based jetmaker still held out a few surprises for the show -- including a new customer order, as well as a new service facility for Eclipse 500 flyers on the west coast.

Eclipse told reporters at NBAA 2006 Monday that Dole Food Company, Inc. and affiliate Castle & Cooke, Inc., have purchased three Eclipse 500 aircraft. Both Dole and Castle & Cooke are privately-held companies owned by David H. Murdock, who serves as chairman and chief executive officer of both companies.

Castle & Cooke plans to supplement its existing fleet of aircraft with Eclipse 500 very light jets to efficiently move key personnel throughout the continental United States, Hawaii and Latin America. Mr. Murdock’s combined companies make up one of the largest privately-held groups in America, with approximately 63,000 employees operating in more than 90 countries around the world. For more than 30 years, the organization has utilized a corporate aircraft fleet to increase business effectiveness and productivity.

"The decision to purchase these jets was made based on safety, performance and economics," said Mr. Murdock. "The Eclipse 500 is a very welcome addition to our fleet. For shorter flights, no jet offered a better combination of all three attributes," Murdock added.

Dole Food Company’s Eclipse 500 very light jets will supplement its current aircraft fleet.

"It has always been our vision that the Eclipse 500 would enhance existing flight departments in the corporate market," said Michael McConnell, vice president of sales and marketing for Eclipse Aviation. "We could never replace the large business jets and commercial airliners that fly international or long range routes, but regional business travelers will benefit significantly from the addition of small, state-of-the-art jets that have the speed and airport access to take you exactly where you want to go."

New SoCal Service Facility

Should Dole... or any other Eclipse 500 flyers... need to have their aircraft serviced while in Southern Calfornia, they'll be in luck -- as Eclipse also announced Monday it will locate an Eclipse Service Center (ESC) at Castle & Cooke's aviation facilities at the storied Van Nuys Airport.

Eclipse’s Van Nuys service location will be operational on January 1, 2007. The company will have 10,000 square feet of hangar space, with 200 square feet of dedicated shop space. In addition Eclipse will have access to 350 square feet of unattached Class A office space co-located at Castle & Cooke.

"We look forward to introducing our California-based customers to this convenient, proven service location," said Vern Raburn, president and CEO of Eclipse Aviation. "Castle & Cook Aviation Services’ stellar reputation reflects our own high service standards, and it will be a pleasure to join forces with this world-class organization."

The Van Nuys ESC will be one of two Eclipse service centers in the state. The second location has not yet been announced.

FMI: www.eclipseaviation.com, www.castlecookeaviation.net