News Item
02.02.11
Sikorsky Aircraft Completes Investment in Eclipse Aerospace
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. - February 2, 2011 – Sikorsky Aircraft Corp. and Eclipse Aerospace, Inc. announced today the completion of a minority equity investment by Sikorsky in Eclipse Aerospace. The companies also entered into a Service Level Agreement pursuant to which Sikorsky will provide global supply chain support and certain production restart services, which will aid Eclipse Aerospace in its efforts to reintroduce production of the Eclipse 500® very light twin-engine jet. Located in Albuquerque, New Mexico, Eclipse Aerospace provides engineering, service, and support for the fleet of roughly 260 Eclipse 500 twin-engine jets. Sikorsky Aircraft, manufacturer of the BLACK HAWK helicopter and other iconic aircraft, is a subsidiary of United Technologies Corp. (NYSE:UTX).
“The management team at Eclipse Aerospace shares with Sikorsky a passion for quality products and a customer-first commitment. We are pleased to make this equity investment and look forward to providing global support to Eclipse as it works to restart production of its twin-engine very light jet,” said Mark Cherry, Vice President of Corporate Strategy and Synergy for Sikorsky.
Eclipse Aerospace currently offers “Total Eclipse” aircraft direct from its factory. These factory refurbished aircraft are configured with the AvioNG integrated flight management system, ability to fly into known ice (FIKI), and coupled auto pilot approach capability for horizontal and vertical approach guidance. These “like new” Total Eclipse Aircraft also come complete with full factory warranty, new paint, and all new interior.
“We are thrilled to announce the closing of this significant investment in Eclipse. Beyond the equity investment, however, we at Eclipse hope to draw from Sikorsky’s significant global supply chain resources and manufacturing experience,” stated Mason Holland, Chairman and CEO of Eclipse Aerospace, Inc. “I have said it before and it is worth repeating: With this agreement we now have it all -- a phenomenal fuel efficient twin-engine jet, an enthusiastic customer base and a fantastic engineering, support and service staff, all coupled with the depth, experience, and strength of Sikorsky Aircraft.”
About Eclipse Aerospace, Inc.
Eclipse Aerospace, Inc. provides engineering, maintenance, service, and support for the fleet of 260 Eclipse 500® very light twin-engine jet aircraft. Adhering to the motto “Customer First,” Eclipse Aerospace is focused on providing a superior customer experience for existing and future owners, operators and pilots of the revolutionary Eclipse 500 jet aircraft. Eclipse Aerospace corporate offices are based in Charleston, SC. Principal operations are located in Albuquerque, N.M. and Chicago, Ill. Eclipse Aerospace is located on the Web at www.eclipseaerospace.net.
About Sikorsky Aircraft Corp.
Sikorsky Aircraft Corp., based in Stratford, Conn., is a world leader in aircraft design, manufacture and service. United Technologies Corp., based in Hartford, Conn., provides a broad range of high technology products and support services to the aerospace and building systems industries.
This press release contains forward-looking statements concerning investment in an aerospace company and the potential production and sale of aircraft. Actual results may differ materially from those projected as a result of certain risks and uncertainties, including but not limited to Eclipse Aerospace’s ability to develop a successful production restart plan and effectively execute such plan, market acceptance of the aircraft, customer demand and other risks and uncertainties, including but not limited to those detailed from time to time in United Technologies Corporation’s Securities and Exchange Commission filings. www.sikorsky.com
Other Press Releases:
06.01.13: Eclipse Jet Granted South African Type Acceptance
06.06.13: SimCom and Eclipse Aerospace Announce Avio IFMS Equipped Full-Motion Simulator
06.06.13: FAA Approves Eclipse Jet Extended Service Life
05.13.13: Crownair Selected as Factory Authorized Gold Service Center for Eclipse Twin-Engine Jets
04.09.13: Eclipse Launches Tour of Modern, Updated Production Facility
03.28.13: Eclipse Receives Production Certificate for EA550 Final Assembly
03.18.13: Eclipse 550 Jet 'Powered Up' on Its Way to First Delivery
01.07.13: Eclipse Submits RFI to USAF Request for Very Light Jet Fleet
10.31.12: Eclipse Reveals Lexavia as Enhanced Vision Supplier
10.30.12: IS&S and Eclipse Aerospace Announce Production Order for Eclipse 550 Flightdeck
09.26.12: Eclipse Announces Anti-Skid Brakes
07.24.12: Eclipse Aerospace Announces Brazilian Type Certification Validation
07.25.12: Pratt & Whitney Canada’s PW610 Engine Selected to Power New Eclipse 550 Aircraft
07.03.12: Eclipse Aerospace Announces "Total Eclipse = Total Savings" Program
06.04.12: Eclipse Announces Official Start of Production of 550 Model
05.15.12: PZL Mielec, a Sikorsky Company, Contracted to Build Eclipse 550 Airframe
04.25.12: Eclipse Receives Production Certificate from FAA for the Eclipse 550
04.19.12: Eclipse Operator Receives Part 135 Paperless Cockpit Approval
02.22.12: iPad App Announced for Eclipse Jet Owners
11.14.11: EAI Announces UAE Type Certificate Validation & 5 Aircraft Sales Into Region
10.10.11: An Eclipse Jet is donated to the Veterans Airlift Command at NBAA
10.10.11: Eclipse 550: Now Taking Orders
07.28.11: Eclipse Sales Take Off at EAA AirVenture 2011
07.25.11: Eclipse Jet Returns to 41,000 Feet
06.23.11: PhostrEx Receives FAA Approval
06.08.11: Total Eclipse Over Birmingham
06.06.11: Eclipse Sells Out Avio IFMS Upgrades for 2011
03.30.11: Eclipse Receives STC for Avio IFMS
10.20.10: Eclipse Aerospace, Inc. and Sikorsky Aircraft Corp. Announce an Agreement in Principle for Sikorsky to Make an Investment in Eclipse
10.19.10: Eclipse Aerospace & IS&S Announce an Integrated FMS for Eclipse Twin-Engine Jet
09.20.10: Eclipse Aerospace Announces Release of Enhanced Windshield, Return to 41,000 Feet
09.02.10: SimCom's Eclipse Sims Receive FAA Level D Certification
05.26.10: Eclipse Aerospace Announces Eclipse Aircraft Insurance Program
05.06.10: Boca Aircraft Maintenance Named US Southeast Factory Authorized Gold Service Center for Eclipse Aerospace
04.19.10: Eclipse Aerospace Announces Platinum Service Center in Istanbul
03.29.10: Eclipse Aerospace Announces Introduction of the Total Eclipse®
03.18.10: Eclipse Selects SimCom as Training Partner
02.26.10: Eclipse 500 Meets Environmental and Economical Needs of U-Haul International
