The Eclipse 500 reached another milestone in the chaos that surrounds it manufacturer Eclipse Aviation, having achieved EASA certification. And, according to Aviation Today’s VLJ Report sister publication Avionics, its upgraded avionics suite, the Avio NG 1.5 was awarded an FAA type certification.
Eclipse is still in need of $200 million to $300 million in recapitalization which comes at a time when financing is growing more impossible. The slowing economy is hitting the entire sector resulting in both Cessna and Hawker Beechcraft Corp. laying off hundreds of employees.
“Obtaining EASA certification is one of Eclipse Aviation’s greatest accomplishments,” said Roel Pieper, Eclipse Aviation CEO. “With the additional FAA approval for Avio NG 1.5, EASA certification enhances Eclipse’s capacity to spread the global reach and impact of the Eclipse 500, and we expect many new orders from all over Europe, Russia and Turkey to follow.”
Indeed, Pieper told VLJ Report during NBAA that there would be a spate of announcements from European customers as soon as EASA certification was achieved. The upgraded avionics suite includes dual Garmin GPS 400W units. The EASA certification requires Eclipse 500 aircraft to be equipped with Avio NG 1.5, plus optional equipment specific to European operations, such as a third attitude indicator and dual Mode S diversity transponders. The company said it continues to work toward receiving EU-OPS 1 approval, which will allow for commercial operation of the Eclipse 500 in Europe. Eclipse expects to receive EU-OPS 1 in time to allow many air-taxi services using the Eclipse 500 to be operational in Europe in 2009.
Meanwhile, the news comes amid employees returning to work after walking out when payroll was missed. Related Story After the walkout on November 13, employees were told over the weekend to return to work on Monday, November 17, on the promise that payroll would be banked on November 18.
“Contrary to media reports, there were no layoffs involved in this unfortunate situation,” said in its only statement on the subject. “While the company resolved the issue, employees were given the choice to continue working or go home. The company expects to have its full workforce in place on Monday, November 17, 2008. The Board of Directors and executive management of the company continue to work diligently on a long-term financial solution for its business. Eclipse will not be releasing any further information at this time, and will not be conducting interviews surrounding this media alert.”
The company is also facing more customer lawsuits, filed in an effort to get refunds. As to the lawsuits, the company declined comment. However, in earlier court filings responding to lawsuits, the company said it did not act fraudulently or in bad faith. Eclipse is now defending itself against 10 lawsuits filed by eight companies and two owner/operators, totaling $7 million. While most cover the price increase from $1.5 million to $2.15 million put in place in June, others cover failure to deliver aircraft including one that was scheduled to be delivered in July to Indian operator AR Airways, which expects the two scheduled for delivery in the fourth quarter will not be forthcoming. It also wants refunds on all its aircraft, including the eight promised for 2009. In a separate suite, Eclipse tried to mitigate claims from Utah Desert Investments by offering earlier delivery positions, positions that were original scheduled for DayJet.