Dole Foods Affiliate Orders Three E-500s... And They'll Service
Them, Too
While most of the big
news coming from Eclipse Aviation happened in the weeks leading up
to the National Business Aviation Association's conference in
Orlando, the Albuquerque, NM-based jetmaker still held out a few
surprises for the show -- including a new customer order, as well
as a new service facility for Eclipse 500 flyers on the west
coast.
Eclipse told reporters at NBAA 2006 Monday that Dole Food
Company, Inc. and affiliate Castle & Cooke, Inc., have
purchased three Eclipse 500 aircraft. Both Dole and Castle &
Cooke are privately-held companies owned by David H. Murdock, who
serves as chairman and chief executive officer of both
companies.
Castle & Cooke plans to supplement its existing fleet of
aircraft with Eclipse 500 very light jets to efficiently move key
personnel throughout the continental United States, Hawaii and
Latin America. Mr. Murdock’s combined companies make up one
of the largest privately-held groups in America, with approximately
63,000 employees operating in more than 90 countries around the
world. For more than 30 years, the organization has utilized a
corporate aircraft fleet to increase business effectiveness and
productivity.
"The decision to purchase these jets was made based on safety,
performance and economics," said Mr. Murdock. "The Eclipse 500 is a
very welcome addition to our fleet. For shorter flights, no jet
offered a better combination of all three attributes," Murdock
added.
Dole Food Company’s Eclipse 500 very light jets will
supplement its current aircraft fleet.
"It has always been our vision that the Eclipse 500 would
enhance existing flight departments in the corporate market," said
Michael McConnell, vice president of sales and marketing for
Eclipse Aviation. "We could never replace the large business jets
and commercial airliners that fly international or long range
routes, but regional business travelers will benefit significantly
from the addition of small, state-of-the-art jets that have the
speed and airport access to take you exactly where you want to
go."
New SoCal Service Facility
Should Dole... or any other Eclipse 500 flyers... need to have
their aircraft serviced while in Southern Calfornia, they'll be in
luck -- as Eclipse also announced Monday it will locate an Eclipse
Service Center (ESC) at Castle & Cooke's aviation facilities at
the storied Van Nuys Airport.
Eclipse’s Van Nuys service location will be operational on
January 1, 2007. The company will have 10,000 square feet of hangar
space, with 200 square feet of dedicated shop space. In addition
Eclipse will have access to 350 square feet of unattached Class A
office space co-located at Castle & Cooke.
"We look forward to introducing our California-based customers
to this convenient, proven service location," said Vern Raburn,
president and CEO of Eclipse Aviation. "Castle & Cook Aviation
Services’ stellar reputation reflects our own high service
standards, and it will be a pleasure to join forces with this
world-class organization."
The Van Nuys ESC will be one of two Eclipse service centers in
the state. The second location has not yet been announced.
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