Company History

The following timeline includes the highlights and milestones Eclipse Aerospace has achieved during its first years.

In May of 2010, Eclipse Aerospace begins selling the Total Eclipse TE-500 Twin engine refurbished jet, which completes the delivery of the original EA-500 aircraft including full avionics, 41,000 ft ceiling, and factory warranty. Eclipse Aerospace continues full servicing of original fleet of aircraft throughout 2010 with plans to re-enter new aircraft production in the near future (date TBD).

Eclipse customers Mason Holland and Michael Press successfully lead an effort to purchase the assets of Eclipse Aviation and re-open the company and restart operations as Eclipse Aerospace on September 4th.

After spending over 1 billion dollars in development and the successful production of 260 EA500 Very Light Jets, due to financial weakness, Eclipse Aviation ceases production and operation in February.

Eclipse Aviation becomes the fastest general aviation jet aircraft manufacturer in history to produce its first 100 airplanes. Eclipse Aviation founder Vern Raburn steps down as President and CEO. Roel Pieper becomes CEO.

Eclipse Aviation receives its production certificate from the FAA on April 26. The Eclipse Concept Jet (now the Eclipse 400), a single-engine turbofan powered, V-tail, four-place aircraft is revealed at EAA AirVenture in Wisconsin. Eclipse Aviation receives FAA-certification of Avio NG Total Aircraft Integration™, an avionics system exclusive to the Eclipse 500.

Eclipse Aviation receives full type certification for the Eclipse 500 from the FAA on September 30. The first production Eclipse 500 receives its Certificate of Airworthiness from the FAA. The first Eclipse 500 is delivered to a customer. Eclipse Aviation receives the 2005 Robert J. Collier Trophy for innovation in the advancement of general aviation through the design, development, and manufacture of the Eclipse 500.

After rigorous airframe testing, the FAA clears the Eclipse 500 to an initial lifetime of 10,000 hours, which is significantly higher than typically approved. Eclipse Aviation develops the PhostrEx™ engine fire suppression system, a non-Halon agent that is safer for the environment and more effective than prevalent ozone-depleting systems.

Testing of the PW610F engines begins. The first friction stir welding operations for joining subassemblies for the Eclipse 500 begins in Albuquerque, NM. Assembly of seven test aircraft begins. The first certification flight test aircraft is produced.

Pratt & Whitney Canada selected to replace the Williams engines with PW610F-A engines.

The Eclipse 500 is flown for the first time on August 26 powered by Williams International EJ22 turbofans. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) approves the use of Friction Stir Welding (FSW) to produce the Eclipse 500. Eclipse Aviation is the first aviation manufacturer to use this technologically-advanced process.