One Aviation – the new parent company of recently merged Eclipse Aerospace and Kestrel Aircraft – says securing European certification for the EA550 is a “priority” for the company, as it seeks to drum up sales of the very light jet globally.
“Europe is a really important market for the EA550. It has so much potential in this region,” says Alan Klapmeier, chief executive of One Aviation, which was launched on the first day of the Aero 2015 show.
The EA550’s predecessor – the EA500 – is already certificated in Europe, and around 20 of the six-seat twin-engined type are currently in service across the continent.
The latest iteration of the VLJ features a dual Avio integrated flight management system, synthetic vision, enhanced vision, auto-throttles and anti-skid brakes.
“There aren’t many differences between the two models, so hopefully it won’t take too long,” adds Klapmeier, who is also chief executive of Kestrel Aircraft, developer of the single-engined KA350. The turboprop is now in the detailed design phase, and One Aviation is hoping to fund the programme through sales of the EA550.
“Last year Eclipse delivered 12 aircraft. Under One Aviation’s direction we will step up the sales and marketing effort and take the EA550 to potential owners. We need to get them excited about the product, and then we can sell it in much greater numbers,” Klapmeier says.
The EA550 and KA350 are the first two of a planned series of aircraft in the One Aviation family. The new venture aims to offer a range of aircraft models, including new designs, out of service types – which could be acquired and upgraded – and in-service types that could be added to the line-up through other company mergers. “Our goal is to open up GA to a much wider audience,” Klapmeier says. “Many believe this industry is just for the privileged few, but we plan to remove that mental block. In 10 year’s time we will be selling aircraft to people for whom today it is only a dream.”
Source: Flight International
