The Latest VLJ and PLJ Industry News - VLJ News

Eclipse Receives Production Certificate for EA550 Final Assembly

Mon, 28 Mar 2011 15:21:00 -0400

Eclipse Aerospace, Inc. (EAI) received today from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) an amended Production Certificate authorizing the final assembly, test, and certification of the new production Eclipse 550 Twin-Engine Jet. In order to earn this amended Production Certificate, EAI demonstrated all assembly, quality, inspection, and flight verification processes required by the FAA.

Eclipse 550 Jet Powered Up on Its Way to First Delivery

Mon, 18 Mar 2013 05:00:00 -0400

Eclipse Aerospace, Inc. celebrates a major production milestone - the first power up of the new production Eclipse 550 Twin-Engine Jet. Thefirst production Eclipse 550 aircraft successfully powered up its two Pratt & Whitney PW610F engines, and the aircraft systems came on line today at the company's facility in Albuquerque, N.M.

Eclipse Submits RFI to USAF Request for Very Light Jet Fleet

Sun, 13 Jan 2013 06:00:00 -0500

Albuquerque, NM, January 7, 2013- Eclipse Aerospace responded today to the U.S. Air Force's Request for Information (RFI) for a large fleet of Very Light Jets (VLJ) to support their Specialized Undergraduate Pilot Training (SUPT) Multi-place Training Track. Eclipse Aerospace's proposed solution could save 13 million gallons of jet fuel per year.

Honda Aircraft Company Sends 500 Care Packages to Deployed North Carolina-Based Troops

Wed, 05 Dec 2012 06:00:00 -0500

Company associates show support for U.S. service members serving overseas

GREENSBORO, N.C., Dec. 5, 2012 – Honda Aircraft Company conducted "Operation Deep Appreciation" yesterday at its world headquarters in Greensboro, N.C. The company shipped 500 care packages to North Carolina-based troops on active duty in Afghanistan and Kuwait as part of the company-wide effort. Now in its fourth year, "Operation Deep Appreciation" offers Honda Aircraft associates the opportunity to express their support and gratitude for deployed United States servicemen and servicewomen during the holiday season.

Eclipse Reveals Lexavia as Enhanced Vision Supplier

Wed, 31 Oct 2012 05:00:00 -0400

ORLANDO, FL — October 31, 2012 — Eclipse Aerospace, Inc. is excited to announce a supplier contract with Lexavia Systems for the Enhanced Vision system in the Eclipse 550 Jet, scheduled for first delivery in the third quarter of 2013.

Honda Aircraft Company begins HondaJet Production Highlights Program Progress at NBAA 2012

Fri, 12 Oct 2012 12:46:24 -0400

ORLANDO, Fla., Oct. 29, 2012 – Honda Aircraft Company announced today that it has commenced production on the much anticipated HondaJet, the world's most advanced light jet. During a press conference at the National Business Aviation Association (NBAA) annual meeting and convention in Orlando, Fla., the company also highlighted key testing milestones that have been successfully accomplished with the HondaJet moving closer to certification and delivery.

Eclipse Announces Official Start of Production of 550 Model

Mon, 04 Jun 2012 16:52:43 -0400

ALBUQUERQUE, NM — June 4, 2012 — During the first International Eclipse Dealer and Sales Conference held this past Friday in Albuquerque, Eclipse Aerospace, Inc., manufacturer of the world’s first very light jet (VLJ), announced the official launch of initial production of the new model Eclipse 550 twin–engine jet.

Fourth FAA-Conforming HondaJet Achieves Its First Flight

Sun, 13 May 2012 16:59:10 -0400

Momentum Toward Certification

Geneva, Switzerland – May 13, 2012 - Honda Aircraft Company today announced that its fourth conforming HondaJet aircraft, referred to as "F3," successfully completed its first flight last week on May 4, 2012. This first flight milestone was a key highlight amongst many, in an overall program update the company reported in a briefing at the European Business Aviation Convention and Exposition (EBACE) in Geneva, Switzerland, underscoring the HondaJet's progress and momentum toward certification.

HondaJet Product, Program and Entry-Into-Service News at EBACE

Sun, 13 May 2012 16:55:43 -0400

Includes New Garmin G3000 Display Format and New Cabin Management System

Geneva, Switzerland – May 13, 2012 - Honda Aircraft Company today made several announcements during its media briefing at the European Business Aviation Convention and Exposition (EBACE) in Geneva, Switzerland, that underscore progress and momentum toward certification of the HondaJet light business jet.

PZL Mielec a Sikorsky Company Contracted to Build Eclipse 550 Airframe

Sat, 12 May 2012 16:49:52 -0400

05.15.12 - Eclipse Aerospace, Inc. (EAI) announced today the signing of an agreement with PZL Mielec, an affiliate of Sikorsky Aircraft and subsidiary of United Technologies Corp., to produce major components for the Eclipse 550 Jet.

Eclipse Receives Production Certificate from FAA for the Eclipse 550

Wed, 25 Apr 2012 22:26:05 -0400

ALBUQUERQUE, NM, April 25, 2012 — Eclipse Aerospace, Inc., manufacturer of the world’s first very-light jet (VLJ), today announced that it has received Production Certificate #550 from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), paving the way for production of the new Eclipse 550 twin–engine jet. Representatives from the FAA presented the production certificate to Cary Winter, Senior Vice President of Eclipse Aerospace, earlier today at a ceremony held at Eclipse’s Albuquerque headquarters.

Full Speed Ahead For Revolutionary Vision SF50 Jet Program

Wed, 18 Apr 2012 19:18:23 -0400

New Investment Spurs Hiring and Development Ramp Up To Complete the Innovative Single-Engine Personal Jet

DULUTH, Minn., (April 18, 2012) – Cirrus Aircraft announced today that its Cirrus Vision SF50 personal jet program, with major investment by its new owner CAIGA, is fully funded through certification and initial production. The company anticipates first customer delivery will take place in 2015.

Eclipse Operator Receives Part 135 Paperless Cockpit Approval

Tue, 17 Apr 2012 19:26:41 -0400

Charleston, SC, April 17, 2012 — Eclipse Aerospace is pleased to announce that North American Jet Charter Group (NAJ), the largest operator of the Eclipse Jet in North America, has recently been approved for a paperless cockpit on Part 135 flights. The iPad will now become an Electronic Flight Bag (EFB) for all NAJ operated Eclipse Jets. This approval gives pilots the option to use Foreflight or Jeppesen en route and approach charts as well as paperless versions of General Operating Manuals and Minimum Equipment Lists — all stored and referenced through the iPad interface.

iPad App Announced for Eclipse Jet Owners

Wed, 22 Feb 2012 15:32:06 -0500

Charleston, SC, February 22, 2012 — Eclipse Aerospace, Inc. announces the Eclipse Quick Reference Application (Eclipse QRA) for the Apple iPad®, available exclusively for owners / operators of the Eclipse Twin-Engine Jet. The Eclipse QRA provides pilots with the ability to use an iPad as a unique flight-planning tool and for inflight reference documentation.

Cessna Citation Mustang Reaches 400 Aircraft

Fri, 27 Jan 2012 17:59:52 -0500

WICHITA, Kan., Jan. 27, 2012 — Cessna Aircraft Company, a Textron Inc. (NYSE: TXT) company, rolled its 400th Citation Mustang off the assembly line at its Independence, Kan., facility. This milestone was accomplished in a little more than five years since the Mustang's first delivery in November 2006.

Honda Aircraft Achieves First Flight of Third FAA-Conforming HondaJet and Announces Milestone on Remaining Test Fleet

Tue, 20 Dec 2011 18:14:58 -0500

GREENSBORO, NC - December 20, 2011 - Honda Aircraft Company today announced on the one-year anniversary of flight testing of its first FAA design-conforming HondaJet aircraft, that its third conforming aircraft, referred to as “F2,” joined flight test and has been conducting extensive flight testing since its first flight on November 18, 2011. This milestone marks important progress toward the HondaJet’s certification.

Honda Aircraft Company Supports U.S. Service Members with Its Third Annual Operation Deep Appreciation

Fri, 02 Dec 2011 19:48:59 -0500

GREENSBORO, NC - December 2, 2011 - Honda Aircraft Company today completed its third annual “Operation Deep Appreciation” in support of U.S. service members stationed overseas. Honda Aircraft and its associates are sending 500 care packages to show their support and appreciation for U.S. service members on active duty in Afghanistan.

EAI Announces UAE Type Certificate Validation and 5 Aircraft Sales Into Region

Tue, 15 Nov 2011 22:37:47 -0500

Dubai,UAE, November 14, 2011 – Eclipse Aerospace, Inc. is pleased to announce the UAE Type Certificate Validation of the Total Eclipse Twin-Engine Jet. Making its first appearance at the 2011 Dubai Airport Expo and Airshow, Eclipse Aerospace has already secured commitments and contracts for 5 Total Eclipse aircraft to customers who will register their aircraft in the UAE.

Medrar Financial Acquires Majority Interest of Diamond Aircraft

Tue, 15 Nov 2011 22:24:46 -0500

Featured at the Dubai Airshow 2011, Contracts worth $350 million already secured

Nov, 13th 2011 - MEDRAR FINANClAL GROUP and DIAMOND AIRCRAFT HOLDINGS have announced today that an agreement has been signed for the acquisition of a majority interest of Diamond Aircraft Holdings, Canada. In addition to a range of Diamond Aircraft's gasoline powered piston aircrafts, the agreement also includes the revolutionary D-JET program.

Cessna Designates American Patriot Citation Mustang

Tue, 15 Nov 2011 22:42:17 -0500

WICHITA, Kan., Nov. 9, 2011 — Cessna Aircraft Company, a Textron Inc. (NYSE: TXT) company, is joining forces with Veterans Airlift Command to provide free transportation for injured veterans. Cessna has designated a Citation Mustang, named the “American Patriot,” to fly VAC missions, the first of which will occur Nov. 10, 2011.