Eclipse Aviation Receives Production Certificate

Pace of Eclipse 500 deliveries to increase as inspection and approval process matures

ALBUQUERQUE, NM — April 26, 2007 — Eclipse Aviation, manufacturer of the world’s first very light jet (VLJ), today announced that it has received its production certificate from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). Representatives from the FAA presented the production certificate to Peg Billson, chief operating officer (COO) of Eclipse Aviation earlier today at a ceremony held at Eclipse’s Albuquerque headquarters.

A production certificate allows a company to manufacture aircraft with an FAA-approved type design, and is only granted when the FAA has determined that the organization’s manufacturing processes and inspection systems comply with all federal regulations. Eclipse Aviation is now authorized to issue standard airworthiness certificates for its production aircraft. As is common in the production start-up phase of a new aircraft manufacturer, Eclipse was previously required to submit every aircraft to the FAA for approval before delivery.

“Earning our FAA production certificate means we have successfully built a reliable, high-quality manufacturing process, and are well positioned to expedite aircraft deliveries,” said Peg Billson. “Our employees, customers and investors can have confidence that we are gaining momentum in production as more and more Eclipse 500s go out the door and into the hands of our customers. This is a critical milestone in our journey to become a high-production aircraft manufacturer.”

The FAA production certificate approval process is very rigorous, and includes the exhaustive evaluation of an organization’s manufacturing processes, quality control and production inspection system. A team of FAA inspectors fully audits the organization and production facilities, and examines approved design data for compliance. If the FAA finds inconsistencies, there are follow-up audits to ensure corrective actions were taken and integrated into ongoing systems and processes.

“We appreciate the professionalism and dedication the FAA has demonstrated throughout this initiative, and look forward to advancing Eclipse 500 aircraft production under our now FAA-approved system,” commented Billson.