Eclipse Aerospace has clinched South African approval for the EA500 Total Eclipse very light jet, opening up the potentially lucrative market for the six-seat twin-engined aircraft.
The South African civil aviation authority has also approved SimCom Training Centers, based in Orlando, Florida, as an Eclipse simulator training centre.
The first aircraft has been handed over to private owner and businessman Kobus Dicks "marking the first delivery on the African continent", says Eclipse.
The company, based in Albuquerque, New Mexico, has appointed Lanseria-based National Airways Corporation as its African sales agent and distributor.
The Total Eclipse is an upgrade to the original EA500, boasting a 20,000-cycle airframe, anti-icing protection and a ceiling of 41,000ft (12,500m).
The latest Eclipse VLJ - the EA550 - is earmarked for US certification and first deliveries later this year, featuring a dual Avio integrated flight management system, synthetic vision, enhanced vision, auto-throttles and anti-skid brakes.
Source: Flight International
