Eclipse Notes: New Service Center, WX Certification

Eclipse Aviation Opens Northeast Service Center Eclipse Aviation last week opened its third Eclipse Service Center during a ceremony at the Albany International Airport which serves New York’s capital. The 42,800 square-foot facility encompasses eight maintenance bays in 30,000 square feet of hangar...

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Eclipse Aviation Opens Northeast Service Center
Eclipse Aviation last week opened its third Eclipse Service Center during a ceremony at the Albany International Airport which serves New York’s capital. The 42,800 square-foot facility encompasses eight maintenance bays in 30,000 square feet of hangar space and also houses storage, tooling, and customer service areas.
"Eclipse is driven to provide exceptional service to our rapidly-growing base of customers,” said Peg Billson, Eclipse Aviation's chief operating officer. “Launching another new service center in our service network demonstrates our vision for our customer experience. It's wonderful to experience the tremendous enthusiasm for the Eclipse 500 in the Northeast, and it is an honor to be a part of New York's efforts to enhance its aviation infrastructure."
Nearly 25 employees, including 14 maintenance technicians currently work at the Albany Eclipse Service Center. Eclipse plans to increase employment to 50 by the end of the year. At this facility, technicians will perform all maintenance on the Eclipse 500 and its systems, including the Pratt & Whitney Canada PW610F engines. Avio NG modifications will also be installed at the Eclipse Service Center. Technicians are trained in nearby Colonie, NY, or at other Eclipse Service Centers in Albuquerque, NM and Gainesville, FL.
Construction on the $8 million facility began in October 2005. New York State Senate Majority Leader Joseph L. Bruno secured a $1.5 million grant for the Eclipse Service Center, which is owned by the Albany County Airport Authority and leased to Eclipse. A grant of $100,000 came from the Empire State Development Corporation. The Albany County Airport Authority financed the remainder.
"The opening of this facility is a win-win for Eclipse Aviation and the Albany International Airport," Senator Bruno said. "The center is already creating high-quality technical jobs, and we know it will make the airport as well as the Capital Region an important destination for the people who own and operate the Eclipse 500."
The Federal Aviation Administration's Flight Standards District Office (FSDO) in Albuquerque monitors the center and is responsible for continued site supervision. Following an onsite audit this month, the Albany Eclipse Service Center received operational approval and certification from the FAA on February 25, 2008.

Eclipse Weather Radar System Certified
Eclipse Aviation received Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) certification for its new Eclipse Aviation Weather Radar System and at the same time incorporated the new color weather radar in its Eclipse 500 production lines, an accomplishment rarely seen in the industry, according to the company. The first Eclipse 500 jet to feature the new Eclipse Aviation Weather Radar System received certification of airworthiness on February 23, 2008.
The advanced color radar was designed by Eclipse and Japan Radio Co., Ltd. (JRC). Moving forward, JRC, a leader in developing wireless and radar technologies, will manufacture and supply all radar components for the Eclipse 500 Jet.
"The Eclipse Aviation Weather Radar System is another example of Eclipse's ability to develop and certify complex technologies that continuously improve the value of our products," said Vern Raburn, president and CEO of Eclipse. "JRC has been an exceptional partner in the design and launch of this next-generation system, and we are pleased to offer Eclipse 500 pilots the outstanding situational weather awareness it delivers."
The Eclipse Aviation Weather Radar System provides tactical radar information on primary flight displays and integrates seamlessly with Avio NG, the aircraft's integrated avionics and systems management system. Eclipse's new radar provides equivalent reliability and functionality to that of the existing Eclipse 500 weather radar.