Eclipse Aviation Advances Eclipse 500 Training Program

Eclipse continues to sharpen customer focus with new partners to deliver superior pilot training in North America and Western Europe
ALBUQUERQUE, NM — Eclipse Aviation, manufacturer of the world’s first very light jet (VLJ), today announced that it has finalized the team of partners who will train Eclipse 500 pilots. The company revealed new partnerships with two highly-experienced training operations – Flight Simulation Company (FSC) of The Netherlands and Higher Power Aviation, Inc. (HPA) of Dallas-Fort Worth, Texas. These organizations join Eclipse’s established relationship with simulator manufacturer OPINICUS Corporation of Lutz, Florida. Collectively, this team will work closely with Eclipse to deliver the comprehensive and rigorous Eclipse curriculum that was approved by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) earlier this year.

FSC, recognized for its pilot training and simulator center management expertise in Europe, will provide Eclipse’s FAA-approved course content and oversee Eclipse Aviation’s overall Eclipse 500 pilot training program. While FSC will begin training Eclipse pilots with a focus on North America and Western Europe, the company’s agreement with Eclipse supports the potential expansion of Eclipse training to other geographic regions. Under its FAR Part 142 certificate, HPA’s certified flight instructors and training personnel will conduct FAA approved flight training and administer the Eclipse 500 type rating curriculum in the United States. HPA will apply their extensive knowledge in training under FAR Part 125, 91, 121, and 135.

“We take our responsibility to train our customer pilots very seriously,” said Vern Raburn, president and CEO of Eclipse Aviation. “We have assembled an outstanding team of experienced instructors and administrators to deliver our FAA-approved, scenario-based training curriculum to our customers. We look forward to joining forces with these respected organizations to create an entirely new generation of safe and highly-proficient jet pilots.”

The Eclipse 500 training program is comprised of a multi-phase curriculum, including an initial flight skills assessment and supplemental training if required, self-paced computer-based study, emergency situation training, a type rating transition course, post-certification mentoring as well as recurrent training. The training curriculum was developed using Line Oriented Flight Training (LOFT) and Flight Operations Quality Assurance (FOQA) principles, which are considered airline standards. In addition, Eclipse 500 training is accepted by the FAA/Industry Training Standards (FITS), which emphasizes scenario-based training that focuses on real-life situations and provides the appropriate tools to make the right decision in any circumstance.

In 2005, Eclipse Aviation selected OPINICUS as its exclusive manufacturer for Eclipse 500 flight training devices and full flight simulators. Eclipse is on track to receive its first simulator in June 2007, the second in September 2007, and third and fourth in early 2008. Later this year, Eclipse will begin using these full-motion simulators for all Eclipse 500 type rating training. The simulators will be housed at a new 41,585 square foot Eclipse facility, which is currently being completed at Albuquerque’s Double Eagle II airport.

FSC is an independent flight training organization that offers sophisticated training curriculums that are designed in close cooperation with airlines and aircraft manufacturers. The organization places a special focus on the selection, training, experience and proficiency of its instructors. FSC is centrally located in Western Europe at Amsterdam Schiphol Airport. The company will conduct Western European training at its headquarters facility, and leverage HPA’s training facilities for U.S.-based Eclipse 500 training. FSC operates full-flight simulators and offers simulator dry-lease, type rating training as well as simulator services and consultancy to commercial airlines.

Based in Dallas-Fort Worth, Texas, HPA provides jet crew training for the Boeing 737 Legacy, Classic, and New Generation (B737NG), plus the Boeing 727, 757, 767, DC-9 and MD-80. HPA is an approved FAA Part 142 training center for airlines, corporate flight departments, government and military agencies, and individuals.

OPINICUS Corporation, incorporated in 1988, is a privately-owned company specializing in advanced full flight simulation technologies. OPINICUS has extensive experience in manufacturing, upgrading and retrofitting simulators for military and commercial aircraft. Utilizing their 60,000 sq ft 8 bay facility in Florida, Opinicus is breaking new ground in aircraft simulation innovations. Opinicus, through its world class software technology, has been able to quickly respond to the fast paced aviation market trends.