Support programme for very light jet includes maintenance, dispatch, flight planning and training for hourly fee
Eclipse Aviation has unveiled a support programme for its very light jet that encompasses not only nose-to-tail maintenance, but also provides assistance with operating the aircraft.
For an hourly fee, the JetComplete programme will cover everything from flight planning and recurrent training to engine maintenance and aircraft-on-ground support.
“This is the first time the manufacturer will take over the whole of the support,” says Eclipse chief executive Vern Raburn.
“We want to change the ownership experience, and make it simple,” he adds.
The three-year programme costs $34,500 when purchased up front, or $115/h based on an expected use of 100h/year. The customer can buy up to 900h of additional coverage over the three years at the same hourly price. If the owner elects to pay monthly based on actual use the cost is $125/h.
JetComplete includes a flight support service providing airline-like dispatch services to Eclipse operators, including weather briefings, flight-plan filing, slot reservations, diversion assistance, fuel-stop planning, hangar rentals and ground transport.
Eclipse will assist with maintenance and training scheduling as well as tracking component life limits and pilot currency requirements and duty-time limits. The programme covers parts and labour for scheduled and unscheduled maintenance on the airframe, avionics and engines, and includes rental engines, trend monitoring and financial protection against critical service bulletins.
Eclipse will provide aircraft-on-ground logistics and technical support with a 24h return-to-service option, plus “substantial” savings on hull and liability insurance, a 30% mark-down on additional pilot training and fuel discounts from participating operators. Three years of Jeppesen electronic navigation data and approach charts and access to XM WX satellite weather is also included in the support package.
Some JetComplete services will be provided by Eclipse itself, and others by a “complex network of vendors”, says Raburn. Certification and handover of the first aircraft is scheduled for March next year.
GRAHAM WARWICK/WASHINGTON DC
Source: Flight International
