The day for DayJet is here at last. The "per-seat, on-demand" operator held its grand opening on 2 October in Florida and is making flights.
Customer test flights began two weeks ago to ensure innovative software will schedule the Eclipse 500 flights and maintenance as planned. "What's revolutionary about this isn't necessarily airplanes," says Iacobucci, "We've developed a whole new family of technology and science."
Co-ordinating different travel plans on to the same flights is working, he says, and costs can approach airline fares. "The more time you give us to get your from A to B, the cheaper the ticket. It's as simple as that."
Attorney Marc Dunbar was among the few customers on board the test flights. "It worked exactly as they said it would," he reports, adding how surprised he was at the quiet cabin of the Eclipse 500 very light jet.
Eclipse Aviation president Vern Raburn helped cut the ribbon in front of seven Eclipses. "I started working on Eclipse 10 years ago, so seeing all of these here is a very emotional thing."
This is a major milestone in aviation, Pratt & Whitney Canada president Alain Bellemare told guests at the Tallahassee celebration, "and many years from now we'll remember this day".
Florida Lt Governor Jeff Kottkamp welcomes the efficiency that will replace car travel and breeze by the lines and hubs of airlines. "We have 169 airports in Florida, but only 19 of them have commercial service," he says.
Initial service is based around the five "Day ports" of Pensacola, Tallahassee, Lakeland, Gainesville and Boca Raton. Service covers Florida and just across the border into neighbouring states. Delivery for 300 Eclipses could bring service completely into six states in the next two years, and 1,000 deliveries within five years could allow a separate service to start in Europe.
Three Eclipses are now making DayJet revenue flights, while up to five are used in training. The other four are cycled through maintenance and stand-by. Repairs are also tracked by software. Dependence on computers leaves paperwork out entirely, with the approval of the Federal Aviation Administration. "We've got the world's first digital certificate," Iacobucci says.
He had hoped to have dozens of Eclipses by now, but delivery delays have pushed DayJet's start date back by almost a year.
The opening ceremony was also troubled when rain fell on the speakers and Iacobucci continued from under an umbrella. "This is fun, and there's the sun. Maybe we'll get a rainbow," he smiled, and minutes later a rainbow did emerge.
Source: Flight International
