…While Eclipse Ramps Up Manufacturing Capacity

With all signs pointing to the company achieving its goal of obtaining FAA certification by March 2006, Eclipse Aviation is also starting to put the finishing touches on its manufacturing logistics. Earlier this month, the company announced a training partnership with Eastern New Mexico University-Roswell (ENMU-Roswell) and Albuquerque Technical Vocational Institute (TVI) designed to prepare a potential workforce for entry-level aviation manufacturing positions. Classes at the two facilities include assembly and installation techniques, tool usage, blueprint reading and theory of flight and safety. We are on track to start delivering Eclipse 500s to customers early in 2006 and will need to increase our team with many qualified manufacturing employees over the coming years, said Eclipse Aviation President and CEO Vern Raburn. Eclipse is bringing modern manufacturing processes to aviation, and we are working closely with ENMU-Roswell and TVI to help students develop the progressive skill sets needed for these positions. Eclipse says the “manufacturability” of its Eclipse 500 has been integral to its business strategy “from the beginning.” Design and engineering considerations geared to minimize the cost of production include Eclipse’s leveraging advanced manufacturing techniques like friction stir welding, advanced outsourcing, a “just-in-time” supply chain and modular sub-assemblies.