AOPA Pilot Magazine - April 2011 - 46

PILOT BRIEFING Eclipse, Sikorsky ink equity investment
Eclipse Aerospace has completed an equity investment by Sikorsky Aircraft that was first announced last fall. Under the agreement, Eclipse will call upon the infrastructure of Sikorsky, including global supply chain support, global parts distribution, and various production restart resources.

No dollar amount was given. The move is key to restarting the production of the twin-engine Eclipse 500. “I have said it before and it is worth repeating,”said Mason Hol-

If you can’t Howl with the Big Dogs...

land, CEO of Eclipse Aerospace, “…with this agreement we now have it all—a phenomenal, fuelefficient twin-engine jet; an enthusiastic customer base; and a fantastic engineering, support and service staff, all coupled with the depth, experience, and strength of Sikorsky Aircraft.” Located in Albuquerque, New Mexico, Eclipse Aerospace provides engineering, service, and support for the fleet of roughly 260 Eclipse 500 jets. It also offers refurbished Eclipse 500 jets with the latest upgrades. Sikorsky Aircraft, manufacturer of the Black Hawk helicopter and other iconic aircraft, is a subsidiary of United Technologies Corp.

Cirrus to be sold
Cirrus Aircraft will be sold to China Aviation Industry General Aircraft Co. (CAIGA), Cirrus officials announced February 28. The 500-employee firm based in Duluth, Minnesota, will merge with the Chinese firm and then be acquired once the regulatory approvals are met. Cirrus officials didn’t disclose the terms of the deal between CAIGA and majority owner Arcapita, but said the pioneering aircraft manufacturing firm will continue building airplanes in the United States and have the necessary capital to expand its product line. “Duluth and Grand Forks are our home,” said Cirrus CEO Brent Wouters. “This is where we do business. This is where we’re staying. And this is where we’ll add jobs when our industry rebounds.” Wouters said the sale to CAIGA is sure to boost Cirrus’ Vision single-engine jet program. The V-tail jet first flew in 2007 but the company pulled back on development when the economy fell into recession. Cirrus has said it will take about three years and more than $100 million to certify the five-seat, 300-knot airplane once it resumes full-scale development. —Dave Hirschman
AOPA PILOT •

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46 • APRIL

2011

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AOPA Pilot Magazine - April 2011

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