Eclipse Aviation has secured $60 million in additional financing, and has now raised more than $180 million towards the estimated $300 million cost of taking its Eclipse 500 personal jet to certification and production. The Albuquerque, New Mexico-based company says the extra private investment was secured despite the difficult capital market after September 11.
The additional funding allows Eclipse to stay on its revised programme schedule, which calls for a first flight in July and certification in December 2003.
Eclipse says orders for the $840,000 twinjet are steady, with no decrease in interest seen since September. Deliveries are due to begin in January 2004 and the first delivery slot available for sale is in late 2006.
Source: Flight International