New Partner Will Be Named In Coming Weeks

Responding to rumors about the status of Eclipse Aviation's innovative pilot training program, co-developed with United Airlines, on Thursday Eclipse CEO Vern Raburn acknowledged the two companies have "mutally agreed" to terminate their partnership.

In a letter to Eclipse customers obtained by ANN, Raburn goes on to say the Albuquerque, NM-based planemaker is in negotiations with a new training partner, that Raburn says "will deliver on the Eclipse vision of comprehensive, scenario-based flight training through the curriculum we co-developed with United."

"The timing of this announcement is once again not what we had envisioned, so we cannot yet reveal the identity of this company given that we are in the final stages of a detailed multi-month selection process," Raburn writes. "We do indeed plan to announce our new training partner within the next few weeks, so in the spirit of increased communication, I want to provide you with a preview."

(The following text is taken, unedited, from Raburn's letter to customers -- Ed.)

"I can tell you that the overall curriculum is not expected to change, but will be enhanced by a partner that has deep knowledge of general aviation and Part 135 training requirements. In the short term, United will still administer your flight skills assessment (FSA), including: the 767 assessment flight, the Myers Briggs Type Indicator personality testing and the single-pilot resource management class. We are currently scheduling customers for the flight skills assessment at the United training center in Denver in alignment with the customer aircraft delivery schedule. At the same time, many early customers are in the process of completing the emergency procedures training at Eclipse, including the hypoxia training in the mixed gas simulator and upset recovery training in the L-39.

"On February 13th, Ken McNamara let you know that the FAA had completed their Flight Standardization Board (FSB) review of the Eclipse 500 training program, and that we were waiting for the final report. I am pleased to tell you that the draft report was issued on February 26th, allowing us to start typing our pilots. There are now at total of nine pilots who have received Eclipse 500 type ratings (five from the FAA and four Eclipse instructor pilots) with 4 more Eclipse instructors slated to complete their type ratings in the next few weeks.

"As planned, we will continue to train early customers in their own aircraft, until the simulators are available. Opinicus is still on track to deliver the first flight training device in the next few months. The FTD will then be upgraded to a full-motion simulator this summer. We have also begun building a 41,585 square foot facility at Double Eagle II airport on Albuquerque’s West Side that will be home to the Eclipse 500 training program.

"As you can see, our comprehensive Eclipse 500 pilot training program is moving ahead without delay. We remain committed to delivering a standard-setting, situation-based program that is FAA Industry Training Standards (FITS) approved, adaptable to all pilot experience levels, and most importantly -- produces proficient, prepared and safe Eclipse 500 pilots. I look forward to sharing more news on this front with you as soon as I am able, so please stay tuned."

FMI: www.eclipseaviation.com