Special Meeting Announcement - December 4th
Since its inception in 1998, Vern Raburn has led Eclipse Aviation Corporation to achieve numerous advancements in its quest to change the way people travel. To date, the company has raised over half a billion in capital and has received type certification of its flagship product, the Eclipse 500 jet, and has also received their Production Certificate.
With more than 25 years experience as a senior executive in the information technology industry, Raburn is a successful entrepreneur who has also helped to shape the course of the information technology revolution and the high technology industry. In the mid 1970s, Raburn opened one of the nation's first computer stores, the Byte Shop of Westminster. Shortly thereafter, he joined Bill Gates as one of the first employees at Microsoft Corporation. He served at Microsoft as President of the Consumer Products Division and was responsible for the company's entry into the retail channel.
Prior to founding Eclipse, Raburn worked as president of the Paul Allen Group, overseeing high technology investments for Microsoft co-founder Paul Allen. Raburn's passion for high technology is exceeded only by his love of aviation. Since he first learned how to fly as a teenager, he has accumulated over 6,500 hours of flight time and has earned his
multi-engine, instrument, commercial and rotary ratings. He holds type ratings in more than 16 aircraft types ranging from WWII bombers to piston airliners to modern corporate jets, including the Eclipse 500.
President's Notes
Make plans now to attend a special luncheon meeting on December 4th! This is a rare Tuesday meeting but necessary due to scheduling. I am very pleased to have Mr. Vern Raburn, President of Eclipse Aviation as our guest speaker. Many of you have asked about getting this speaker and here is your chance to meet him. Don't miss this important event and bring some guests!
I first heard of Eclipse nearly seven years ago when they starting exhibiting at Oshkosh and other aviation shows with a radical new concept for a "Very Light Jet". Vern
and the Eclipse investors had noticed an opening in the aviation market for a smaller and more efficient, low cost jet aircraft. As a highly experienced pilot, Vern and his designers came up with a radical new design, using new manufacturing technology with very efficient engines for good fuel economy and lighter weight construction materials. Thus, the VLJ concept was born. Eclipse's new concept then shook up the aviation world even more by offering the aircraft initially for $800,000, which at that time was millions less than any comparable jet aircraft on the market and nearly the same price as a Beechcraft Baron. As time has gone by, design and engine changes have forced the price to rise. Eclipse wasn't finished shaking up the aviation world when in 2005 they won the coveted Collier Award from the National Aeronautic Association (NAA) for the greatest aviation achievement of the year. There was some controversy as to whether the timing was right for them to win with only a handful of Eclipses flying. I believe some reasons they won at that time besides the actual aircraft design and flight specs were for pioneering the entire VLJ
movement that has followed, using innovative new design and manufacturing techniques (including "stir friction" welding), dual computer flight systems and new fire extinguishing material.
After other aircraft manufacturers noticed the Eclipse order books filling rapidly, they entered the market with their own Very light Jet (VLJ) designs. Some aircraft now in the works are: Cirrus "The Jet," Diamond D-Jet, Piper Jet, Omnijet, and Cessna's "Mustang" (they call it an "Entry level" jet). Last I heard Eclipse had more than 2,400 deposits for aircraft and over 40 aircraft on the production line being readied for delivery. I look forward to hearing from Vern about their plans for the future, including whether or not they will start taking orders for their new V-tail Jet unveiled at Oshkosh 2007. See you there!
