Supplier Delays Postpone Eclipse 500 Certification

Eclipse Aviation tells ANN that FAA certification of the Eclipse 500, which was originally scheduled for March 2006, will move to late Q2 2006. The schedule change was driven by supplier delays, including a slip in one major supplier's delivery program.

"We have always been honest and forthcoming about our challenges, and today we are sharing an issue that will affect the timing of the Eclipse 500 certification program," said Vern Raburn, president and CEO of Eclipse Aviation.

"Over the last few months, we have been working with our suppliers to recover their schedules. Unfortunately, an in-depth assessment of the new schedules has made it clear that these slips will force a delay in our overall certification effort."

Eclipse's certification program has been reworked to accommodate revised supplier schedules, and the Eclipse 500 is now slated to receive FAA type certification in late Q2 2006. First customer deliveries will occur shortly thereafter. 

Raburn commented, "This development is clearly disappointing, but the big picture is that we are heading into 2006 with a test fleet of five flying aircraft, our first TIA from the FAA in hand and more then 850 flight hours under our belts. Most importantly, the Eclipse 500 will soon be certified and in the hands of customers. Two years ago, most people considered this an impossible feat, and today thanks to the unwavering support of our customers and dedication of our employees - it's a near-term reality."

ANN E-I-C Note: The announcement comes at an interesting time -- in that Eclipse had a fair chance to "bury" the downside of this disclosure had they delayed this decision a day or so to get lost in the holiday buzz. Not doing so that indicates that their policy of staying fairly 'transparent' on the progress of the program, positive and negative, is still very much in vogue. We're pleased that this policy has been maintained and it gives us some confidence that the Q2 date has validity.

Yeah, it's not the kind of news they want to make -- but they're, apparently, unwilling to BS us about it. Good for them...

ANN will be talking with Eclipse Boss Vern Raburn later today, on the record, for our Aero-Cast audio news programs and online reports. More info to follow. -- Jim Campbell, Aero-News Editor-In-Chief

FMI: www.eclipseaviation.com