Eclipse Aviation

{{Main|History of Eclipse Aviation}}

File:Eclipse-N503EA-060825-14-16.jpg flight test aircraft at Mojave Airport in 2006]]

File:Eclipse aviation.jpg]]

File:Eclipse 400 at Oshkosh Air Show 2007.jpg very light jet in 2007]]

Eclipse Aviation was founded by Vern Raburn in 1998 in Scottsdale, Arizona, and the company started to design the twin-engined Eclipse 500 very light jet. Due to investments by the State of New Mexico and incentives and concessions from the City of Albuquerque, the company set up its production facilities there and moved its headquarters in 2000. Construction of the prototype started in 2001, and it first flew on August 26, 2002. Originally powered by two Williams International EJ22 turbofans, these were found to be unsuitable, and the aircraft was redesigned to accommodate a pair of Pratt & Whitney Canada PW610F-A turbofans. The engine change caused a delay in the program, and the PW610F-equipped prototype first flew in 2004. The aircraft was FAA certified on July 27, 2006; the first customer aircraft was delivered in January 2007. European Aviation Safety Agency certification for private use was achieved on November 21, 2008.{{cite web|url = http://www.airweb.faa.gov/Regulatory_and_Guidance_Library%5CrgMakeModel.nsf/0/8E884FEED83E517F862573DB0052854D?OpenDocument|title = TYPE CERTIFICATE DATA SHEET NO. A00002AC.|access-date = 2008-07-16|last = Federal Aviation Administration|author-link = Federal Aviation Administration|date=January 2008}}{{cite web|url = http://www.eclipseaviation.com/company/news/news.php?c=1&id=1398|title = Eclipse 500 Receives EASA Certification|access-date = 2008-11-21|last = McCarraher|first = Alana|date = November 2008|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20090212152445/http://www.eclipseaviation.com/company/news/news.php?c=1&id=1398|archive-date = 2009-02-12|url-status = dead}}

In February 2006, the company was named the winner of the Collier Trophy for 2005 by the National Aeronautic Association for its work with the Eclipse 500.{{cite web|url = http://www.avweb.com/avwebflash/briefs/191611-1.html|title = Eclipse Wins Collier Prize (Pre-emptively?) |access-date = 2008-10-24|last = Niles|first = Russ |date=February 2006}} The award was controversial because only the prototype aircraft was flying.{{cite web|url = http://www.avweb.com/blogs/insider/CollierTrophy_Irrelevance_197334-1.html|title = Collier Irrelevance? |access-date = 2008-11-15|last = Niles|first = Russ|date=March 2008}}

On July 23, 2007, at AirVenture in Oshkosh, Wisconsin, Eclipse unveiled the already flying prototype of a second company design initially called the Eclipse Concept Jet. The four-seat aircraft was powered by a single Pratt & Whitney Canada PW610F turbofan and was built in secrecy at NASA's Wallops Flight Facility in Virginia by Swift Engineering and BaySys Technologies.{{cite web|url = http://www.avweb.com/news/airventure/EAAAirVenture2007_EclipseConceptJet_195692-1.html|title = Eclipse Goes Solo with Concept Jet |access-date = 2008-11-15|last = Trautvetter|first = Chad|date=July 2007}} The ECJ had first flown on July 2, 2007. The company said it did not intend to place the aircraft into production, but by May 2008, it began to take orders for a production version designated the Eclipse 400.{{cite web|url=http://www.aviationweek.com/aw/generic/story.jsp?id=news/ECLIPSE05308.xml&headline=Eclipse%20To%20Produce%20Single-Engined%20Jet&channel=busav|title=Eclipse To Produce Single-Engined Jet|last=Warwick|first=Graham|date=2008-05-30|work=Aviation Week|publisher=McGraw-Hill|access-date=2008-05-31|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110521061746/http://www.aviationweek.com/aw/generic/story.jsp?id=news%2FECLIPSE05308.xml&headline=Eclipse%20To%20Produce%20Single-Engined%20Jet&channel=busav|archive-date=2011-05-21}}{{cite web|url = http://www.avweb.com/avwebflash/news/EclipseGoesAheadWithSingleHikesPriceOfTwin_198006-1.html|title = Eclipse Goes Ahead With Single, Hikes Price Of Twin|access-date = 2008-06-02|last = Niles|first = Russ|date=May 2008}}

In October 2007, the company laid off between 100 and 150 contract workers and employees, about 10% of its workforce.{{cite web|url = http://www.avweb.com/avwebflash/news/Eclipse_LayOff_196418-1.html|title = Eclipse Lays Off Workers |access-date = 2008-11-15|last = Pew|first = Glenn|date=October 2007}} In November 2007 subcontractor Hampson Aerospace, which built the tail assembly for the Eclipse 500, filed a suit against Eclipse alleging that Eclipse had not paid them for work completed.{{cite web|url = http://www.aviationtoday.com/vlj/categories/bga/17258.html|title = Tail Manufacturer Sues Eclipse, Eclipse Charges Fraud|access-date = 2008-10-30|last = Aviation Today|date = November 2007|archive-date = December 1, 2008|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20081201193956/http://www.aviationtoday.com/vlj/categories/bga/17258.html|url-status = dead}}{{cite web|url = http://www.avtoday.com/regions/usa/19236.html|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20081205045342/http://www.avtoday.com/regions/usa/19236.html|url-status = dead|archive-date = 2008-12-05|title = Eclipse Aviation and Hampson Aerospace, Inc. Resolve All Outstanding Disputes|access-date = 2008-10-30|last = Aviation Today|date = February 2008}}

During 2007 Eclipse produced 104 aircraft and claimed a record for building its "first 100 airplanes faster than any GA jet aircraft manufacturer in history."{{cite web|url = http://www.avweb.com/avwebbiz/news/BizAv_Eclipse500_ProductionRecord_196870-1.html|title = 'Audacious' Eclipse Claims Production Record |access-date = 2008-11-15|last = Niles|first = Russ|date=January 2008}}

Founding president and CEO Vern Raburn resigned as a condition of a financing package by European Technology and Investment Research Center (ETIRC) Aviation, which had invested more than US$100 million in Eclipse in 2008. Raburn announced his resignation at AirVenture on Monday, July 28, 2008.{{cite web|url = http://www.avweb.com/news/airventure/EAAAirVenture2008_VernRaburn_EclipseAviation_ReplacedByRoelPieper_198412-1.html|title = Raburn Steps Down as Eclipse CEO |access-date = 2008-07-28|last = Niles|first = Russ|date=July 2008}} The new CEO, Roel Pieper, the chairman of the board of directors and president of ETIRC,{{cite web|url = http://www.avweb.com/eletter/archives/avflash/1190-full.html|title = "Eclipse Hits Back At "Speculation", AVwebFlash Complete Issue: Volume 14, Number 34a|access-date = 2008-08-19|last = AvWeb Staff|date = August 2008|archive-date = August 9, 2009|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20090809162840/http://www.avweb.com/eletter/archives/avflash/1190-full.html|url-status = dead}} said that the company should be profitable by the first quarter of 2009.

Despite orders for the aircraft, the company announced in August 2008 that development of the Eclipse 400 was on hold and it had not started the certification process.Over and Out Inc, et al.: In the United States Bankruptcy Court in the District of Delaware - Complaint Case 08-13031 (MFW), page 5. The company declared it had not spent any of the deposit money for the Eclipse 400, but the deposits were later the subject of legal action.{{cite web|url = http://www.airportjournals.com/Display.cfm?varID=0810014|title = DayJet Folds and Eclipse Aviation Struggles to Survive|access-date = 2008-10-08|last = Di Piazza|first = Karen|date = October 2008|url-status = dead|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20101210100045/http://airportjournals.com/Display.cfm?varID=0810014|archive-date = 2010-12-10}}

On Wednesday, August 20, 2008, Hampson Aerospace closed its Grand Prairie production plant, leaving Eclipse without a supplier of tail sections.{{cite web|url = http://eclipsecriticng.blogspot.com/2008/08/hampsons-faa-and-press.html|title = Hampsons, the FAA, the press and now this....|access-date = 2008-10-30|last = Price|first = Shane|date=August 2008}}

On August 22, 2008, Eclipse announced that it would be laying off 650 of its workforce of 1800 people (38% of its work force)The Canadian Press [http://canadianpress.google.com/article/ALeqM5iz5Yg1JzmcerSZojPAXpbhqo0P-w Eclipse Aviation announces layoffs of 650 workers], [https://web.archive.org/web/20080826011850/http://canadianpress.google.com/article/ALeqM5iz5Yg1JzmcerSZojPAXpbhqo0P-w Archived version] from August 26, 2008{{cite web|url = http://www.avweb.com/avwebflash/news/EclipseCutsWorkforce_198647-1.html|title = Eclipse Cuts Workforce 38 Percent |access-date = 2008-08-25|last = Niles|first = Russ|date=August 2008}}{{cite web|url = http://www.portfolio.com/news-markets/national-news/ap/2008/11/13/nm-eclipse-employees-unpaid-for-2-weeks-work|title = NM Eclipse employees unpaid for 2 weeks' work|access-date = 2008-11-13|last = Conde Nast Portfolio|date=November 2008}} {{Dead link|date=October 2010|bot=H3llBot}} and a week later Pratt & Whitney Canada repossessed 24 engines sold to Eclipse.United States Bankruptcy Court for the District of Delaware: Case No 08-13031 (MFW) Statement of Financial Affairs Eclipse Aviation Corporation, page 12.

From August 2008 onwards, several customers filed lawsuits against the company for failure to return deposits for canceled and delayed orders. The company indicated that it needed more funding to be in a position to return deposits.{{cite web|url = http://www.avweb.com/avwebflash/news/198690-1.html|title = Eclipse Sued For Deposit Refund |access-date = 2008-09-01|last = AvWeb staff|date=August 2008}}{{cite web|url = http://eclipsecriticng.blogspot.com/2008/08/some-words-from-staff-suppliers-and.html|title = Some words from staff, suppliers and customers |access-date = 2008-09-01|last = Price |first = Shane |date=August 2008}}{{cite web |url=http://www.ainonline.com/news/single-news-page/article/eclipse-sells-dayjet-500s-as-owner-lawsuits-mount-against-eclipse/ |title=Eclipse sells DayJet 500s as owner lawsuits mount against Eclipse |access-date=2008-11-03 |last=Thurber |first=Matt |date=November 2008 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090804065846/http://www.ainonline.com/news/single-news-page/article/eclipse-sells-dayjet-500s-as-owner-lawsuits-mount-against-eclipse/ |archive-date=2009-08-04 }}

On September 19, 2008, Eclipse's largest customer, DayJet, representing 1400 orders for the Eclipse 500, ceased flying operations for financial reasons.{{cite web

|url = http://www.dayjet.com/DayJetOperations_09192008.pdf

|title = DayJet Discontinues Passenger Operations

|work = dayjet.com

|date = 2008-09-19

|url-status = dead

|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20081010065206/http://www.dayjet.com/DayJetOperations_09192008.pdf

|archive-date = 2008-10-10

}}{{cite web|url=http://www.dayjet.com/FAQ_09192008.pdf |title=Frequently Asked Questions for Customers |access-date=2008-09-19 |last=DayJet |date=September 2008 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081010065224/http://www.dayjet.com/FAQ_09192008.pdf |archive-date=October 10, 2008 }}

Eclipse Aviation announced on September 23, 2008, that it would establish a factory in Ulyanovsk, Russia to assemble the Eclipse 500, but then halted production of the 500 in October 2008, with the company indicating that it lacked funds to continue production or refund customer deposits.{{cite web|url = http://www.avweb.com/avwebflash/news/EclipseRussianFactoryGetsFinancingAndApprovals_198836-1.html|title = Eclipse's Russian Factory Gets Financing, Approvals |access-date = 2008-09-25|last = Grady|first = Mary|date=September 2008}}{{cite web|url = http://www.eclipseaviation.com/company/news/news.php?c=1&id=1396|title = Eclipse Aviation and ETIRC Aviation Gain Approval and Financing for Russian Production Facility|access-date = 2008-09-25|last = McCarraher|first = Alana|date = September 2008|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20080926122446/http://www.eclipseaviation.com/company/news/news.php?c=1&id=1396|archive-date = 2008-09-26|url-status = dead}}

On November 21, 2008, the company announced that it had achieved EASA certification for the 500 and then just four days later, on November 25, 2008, filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection.{{cite web|url = http://www.avweb.com/avwebflash/news/EclipseGetsEASACertification_199262-1.html|title = Eclipse Gets EASA Certification |access-date = 2008-11-22|last = Niles|first = Russ|date=November 2008}}{{cite web|url = http://www.eclipseaviation.com/company/news/news.php?c=1&id=1399|title = Eclipse Aviation Seeks Court Approval for Restructuring under 363 Sale Procedures and Debtor in Possession Financing|access-date = 2008-12-02|last = McCarraher|first = Alana F.|date = December 2008|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20081203083351/http://www.eclipseaviation.com/company/news/news.php?c=1&id=1399|archive-date = 2008-12-03|url-status = dead}} The company was "seeking court approval for debtor-in-possession financing and procedures for the sale of substantially all of its assets under Section 363 of the U.S. Bankruptcy Code." The company also stated that it had found a buyer for its assets, EclipseJet Aviation International, an affiliate of ETIRC Aviation, the company with significant investments in Eclipse.

Bankruptcy documents indicated that a total of $702.6 million was owed. The court documents filed suggested that the bankruptcy occurred because the company "continued to lose larger than expected sums of money on each aircraft manufactured and has not reached cash flow positive in its operations." Total company liabilities were estimated at over $1 billion.{{cite web |url=http://www.charterx.com/resources/article.aspx?id=3676 |title=Eclipse Aviation Bankruptcy Opens the Books on Debts |access-date=2008-12-10 |last=Charter X |date=November 2008 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090106202148/http://www.charterx.com/resources/article.aspx?id=3676 |archive-date=2009-01-06 }} At the time of bankruptcy filing on November 25, 2008 Eclipse had delivered 259 EA500s.{{cite web|url = http://www.ainonline.com/news/single-news-page/article/on-the-heels-of-easa-certification-eclipse-files-for-bankruptcy-protection/|title = On the heels of EASA certification, Eclipse files for bankruptcy protection|access-date = 2009-01-04|last = Thurber|first = Matt|date = January 2009|url-status = dead|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20090212150657/http://www.ainonline.com/news/single-news-page/article/on-the-heels-of-easa-certification-eclipse-files-for-bankruptcy-protection/|archive-date = 2009-02-12}}Walrath, Mary F.: Order (A) Authorizing The Debtors to Sell Substantially All Of Their Assets Free and Clear etc. United States Bankruptcy Court for the District of Delaware, January 23, 2009, Case Number 08-13031 (MFW)

On January 20, 2009, Federal Bankruptcy Court Judge Mary Walrath verbally approved the sale of the assets of Eclipse Aviation to EclipseJet Aviation International, headed by Eclipse Aviation's chairman, Roel Pieper, under Section 363 of the United States Bankruptcy Code. EclipseJet Aviation International was unable to secure the funding they had anticipated, and on February 24, 2009, a group of companies to whom Eclipse owed money applied to the court to force the unfinished Chapter 11 proceedings into Chapter 7, a move supported by the company management.{{cite web|url = http://www.avweb.com/avwebbiz/news/EclipseAuctionJan14_199485-1.html|title = Eclipse Auction Jan. 14 |access-date = 2009-01-01|last = Niles|first = Russ|date=December 2008}}{{cite web |url=http://www.businessweek.com/ap/financialnews/D95D2NNO0.htm |title=Eclipse Aviation auction date set |access-date=2009-01-01 |work=Business Week |author-link=Business Week |date=December 2008 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090113190306/http://www.businessweek.com/ap/financialnews/D95D2NNO0.htm |archive-date=2009-01-13 }}{{cite web|url = http://www.iht.com/articles/ap/2009/01/21/business/NA-US-Eclipse-Sale.php|title = Federal judge OKs Eclipse Aviation sale|access-date = 2009-01-21|last = Associated Press|author-link = Associated Press|date=January 2009}}{{cite web|url = http://www.avweb.com/avwebbiz/news/EclipseSaleApproved_199613-1.html|title = Eclipse Sale Approved |access-date = 2009-01-22|last = Niles|first = Russ|date=January 2009}}The Ad Hoc Committee: Motion of the Ad Hoc Committee of Secured Noteholders for an Order Converting the Debtors' Chapter 11 Bankruptcy Cases to cases under Chapter 7 of the Bankruptcy Code, United States Bankruptcy Court for the District of Delaware, February 24, 2009, Case Number 08-13031 (MFW)The Ad Hoc Committee: Motion to Shorten Notice of the Motion of the Ad Hoc Committee of Secured Noteholders for an Order Converting the Debtors' Chapter 11 Bankruptcy Cases to cases under Chapter 7 of the Bankruptcy Code, United States Bankruptcy Court for the District of Delaware, February 24, 2009, Case Number 08-13031 (MFW){{cite web|url = http://www.avweb.com/avwebbiz/news/EclipseCreditorsWantChapter7_199841-1.html|title = Eclipse Creditors Want Chapter 7 |access-date = 2009-02-24|last = Niles|first = Russ|date=February 2009}}

After a lengthy Chapter 7 process running from March to August 2009, only one bidder for the company's assets existed. Eclipse Aerospace, headed by Mike Press and Mason Holland, offered US$20M in cash and US$20M in new promissory notes, stating that they would locate the new company in the existing Eclipse facilities in Albuquerque. Eclipse Aerospace provided upgrades to the current Eclipse fleet and restarted production. Eclipse Aerospace was confirmed as the new owner of the assets of the former Eclipse Aviation on August 20, 2009, and opened for business on September 1, 2009. The company later merged to become One Aviation, and it subsequently went bankrupt in 2018.{{cite news|url = https://www.forbes.com/feeds/ap/2009/08/10/ap6761924.html|title = Judge approves Eclipse sale date Aug. 20|access-date = 2009-08-13|last = Associated Press|author-link = Associated Press|date=August 2009|work=Forbes}}{{dead link|date=January 2022|bot=medic}}{{cbignore|bot=medic}} {{cite web|url = http://www.aopa.org/aircraft/articles/2009/090806eclipse.html|title = Eclipse bidder offers $40 million|access-date = 2009-08-13|last = Marsh|first = Alton K.|date = August 2009|url-status = dead|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20090814111029/http://www.aopa.org/aircraft/articles/2009/090806eclipse.html|archive-date = 2009-08-14}}{{cite web|url = http://www.avweb.com/avwebflash/news/EclipseSaleExpectedSoon_200978-1.html|title = Eclipse Sale Expected Next Week |access-date = 2009-08-13|last = Grady|first = Mary|date=August 2009}}{{cite web|url = http://hosted.ap.org/dynamic/stories/U/US_ECLIPSE_OPENING?SITE=TXPLA&SECTION=HOME&TEMPLATE=DEFAULT|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20190403011731/http://hosted.ap.org/dynamic/stories/U/US_ECLIPSE_OPENING?SITE=TXPLA&SECTION=HOME&TEMPLATE=DEFAULT|url-status = dead|archive-date = 2019-04-03|title = Jet-maker Eclipse Aviation opens under new owner |access-date = 2009-09-06|last = Clark|first = Heather|date=September 2009}}{{cite web|url = https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nz6alW0_Pmg|title = Updated: Eclipse to resume operations|access-date = 2009-09-15|last = KOB TV Albuquerque | website=YouTube |date=September 2009}}{{cite web|url = https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=14LhyLBrIGA|title = Eclipse is back in business|access-date = 2009-09-15|last = KOB TV Albuquerque | website=YouTube |date=September 2009}}

Eclipse Aviation pioneered the use of friction stir welding in aircraft structures, using it extensively in the primary structure of the Eclipse 500.

Eclipse also developed PhostrEx, a fire suppression agent for use in aviation applications to replace halon, a greenhouse gas. Eclipse Aviation developed it for use aboard their Eclipse 500 jets, and it is now being marketed to other aviation manufacturers.

• Aspen Avionics
• Williams V-Jet II

{{Reflist|30em}}

{{commons category|Eclipse Aviation}}

• [https://web.archive.org/web/*/http://www.eclipseaviation.com/ Eclipse Aviation homepage] on Archive.org

{{Eclipse Aviation}}

Category:Manufacturing companies based in Albuquerque, New Mexico

Category:Defunct aircraft manufacturers of the United States

Category:Companies established in 1998

Category:1998 establishments in Arizona

Category:Companies that have filed for Chapter 7 bankruptcy

Category:Companies that filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy in 2008

Category:Companies that filed for Chapter 7 bankruptcy in 2009

Category:Collier Trophy recipients

Category:Defunct manufacturing companies based in New Mexico