2 January 2008
Eclipse Aviation, manufacturer of the Eclipse 500 VLJ (Very Light Jet) is claiming the record for production of the first 100 aircraft of a type. The manufacturer completed its first production example on 31 December 2006, and in the subsequent 12 months produced another 103 examples.
The previous record, says Eclipse, was held by Cessna which produced its first 100 Citation 550s in 18 months.
Vern Raburn, Eclipse CEO, said: “We’re transforming how jets are built, and how people travel. It’s an audacious goal, and one that stretches us every day to go beyond what seems possible. Day-to-day setbacks are inevitable, but the reality is that we have created a new aircraft category and are bringing a new breed
of jet to market at a rate never before seen in general aviation.”
<b><i>FLYER</i></b>’s February issue (on newsstands next week) has an exclusive flight test of the Eclipse 500 as its cover story. Don’t miss it!
