Quick Takes – Eclipse, Cessna/Columbia

Eclipse Offers Discount to Customers for Cash Up Front
Those holding delivery positions on the Eclipse 500 have been asked to send $625,000 of monies owed on their aircraft purchase up front – by December 14 – in exchange for discounts of as much as $500,000 on the final cost of the aircraft at delivery, locking in $1.25 million price tag. The offer came in a letter from CEO Vern Raburn, who hopes to raise $30 million before the end of the year. The money is needed to pay for operations during its latest capital financing drive. Should the effort fall short, Eclipse will refund the pre-payments.
Recently, Raburn told AviationToday’s VLJ Report the company was not in financial difficulty, something many have been inferring from press reports. Related Story

Phenom Sales Approach 700
Embraer said that after the conclusion of the sale of 100 Phenom 300 jets to Flight Options this week, the numbers of firm orders for the Phenom family approaches 700 jets. Total backlog for the Executive Aviation segment is around $4.5 billion, and includes the Phenom family, the Legacy 600 and Lineage 1000 sales.
Flight Options, LLC, offers a complete spectrum of programs from Fractional First™ ownership to leasing, aircraft management, and JetPASS Ultimate Travel Membership. The company provides personalized service to its Owners and Members, with a fleet of over 140 aircraft.

Used Adam Aircraft 500 on Market
The turboprop Adam Aircraft 500 is on the market, shortly after it was acquired. However, Adam does not see this as indicative of a problem so much as changes in customer requirements. “The reason this airplane is available is quite simply because the party that purchased the airplane has had changes to their mission requirements and as a result they no longer align with the A500 capabilites,” said Steve Crowley, VP Sales, Marketing, Customer Support. “The airplane is still owned by our customer, but he asked for our assistance in helping place the airplane and we are happy to help. It's part of our customer-focused philosophy at Adam Aircraft.”

Cessna Completes Acquisition of Columbia
Cessna Aircraft Company completed its purchase of select assets of Columbia Aircraft Manufacturing Company. Related Story
Cessna's auction bid of $26.4 million for the Bend, Oregon-based producer of high-performance, single-engine aircraft was accepted by court order on Nov. 28 by the United States Bankruptcy Court for the District of Oregon. Company officials spent the past week finalizing the acquisition.
With the deal now closed, the Bend factory will carry the Cessna name and the Columbia products will be branded as the Cessna 350 and the Cessna 400. These two low-wing, turbocharged aircraft will complement Cessna's existing line of eight piston models. Cessna Parts Distribution and the Cessna network of authorized dealers and service centers have already begun plans to integrate sales and support of the new Cessna 350 and Cessna 400 aircraft.