Eclipse Aerospace, part of ONE Aviation, is headquartered in Albuquerque, New Mexico. Eclipse Aviation was one of the initial players in the “Very Light Jet” movement that began with the company’s startup in 1998 by former Microsoft member Vern Raburn. With Bill Gates a major stockholder, the company began its life in Scottsdale, Arizona, but soon moved to Albuquerque following investments by the State of New Mexico and the City of Albuquerque in 2000. The company’s sole product was the Eclipse 500 jet, with the first prototype flying on August 26, 2002. The Eclipse 500 jet was designed with two Williams International EJ22 turbofan engines, but after just 1 flight, the company made the decision to switch engines to the Pratt & Whitney Canada PW610F-A turbofan. The engine change meant that a major airframe redesign would be required, and caused a program delay of about thirty months. The Eclipse 500 jet was certified by the FAA on September 30, 2006. The first customer delivery occurring in January of 2007. Following issues with some suppliers, Eclipse Aviation’s largest customer DayJet ceased operations on September 19, 2008. Financial reasons was stated as the cause of the DayJet shutdown. Eclipse halted production of its 500 jet in October of 2008 at serial number 267. Eclipse Aviation filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection in November of 2008. However, that would not be the end of Eclipse.
Eclipse Aerospace has a rebirth
August of 2009 saw a new group called Eclipse Aerospace, which was lead by by Mike Press and Mason Holland, as the single Chapter 7 bankruptcy sale bidder for the assets of Eclipse Aviation. With the new group and its 15 employees moving back into the old Eclipse facilities in Albuquerque in September of 2009, it was time to bring the Eclipse Jet program back to life. In October of 2009, the company made its first offering, an upgraded avionics and de-icing package available for existing Eclipse 500 aircraft. In December of 2009, the new Eclipse Aerospace was installing their upgrades on 28 former DayJet planes acquired in the bankruptcy auction, in addition to eight planes being upgraded for existing customers. October of 2010 saw Sikorsky Aircraft investing in Eclipse Aerospace, as the company’s President Jeff Pino owned an Eclipse 500 jet. The deal was finalized in January of 2011, with Sikorsky providing Eclipse with access to its supply and parts distribution chain. In October 2011, Eclipse Aerospace announced it would begin production of an improved version of the Eclipse 500 jet. It would be called the Eclipse 550, with first delivery expected in 2013. The first new Eclipse 550 rolled out in March of 2013, with the first customer delivery coming in October of 2013.
On April 15 of 2015, it was announced that Eclipse Aerospace and Kestrel Aircraft would merge to create One Aviation Corporation. Alan Klapmeier was named as the first CEO of One Aviation. Alan was previously the CEO of Kestrel, as well as Cirrus Aircraft. The combined company will continue to produce the Eclipse 550, and will complete development and certification of the new Kestrel K-350 aircraft. The Kestrel 350 will be an all composite, single engine turboprop aircraft, and will carry up to 8 people at high speed to places that jets simply cannot access. It will be more versatile, burn less fuel, and be capable of maintaining safe approach speeds at large busy airports, as well as shorter grass or gravel runways. The Kestrel 350 is still in development, and is being billed as an exceptionally easy plane to fly with superior handling characteristics and responsiveness, even at low speeds. It’s spec’ed to climb efficiently at more than 2,250 feet per minute to a maximum altitude of 31,000 feet, with a cruise speed of greater than 320 knots. It was a very impressive tour that I received, and I would like to thank Ken Oden for taking the time to speak with me, and show me around the Albuquerque facility!
Image from www.oneaviation.aero