India, Australia are first foreign countries to certify Eclipse 500 very light jet
02 May 2008
Albuquerque, USA: Customers of Eclipse 500 very light jets (VLJs) may now register and operate these aircraft in India and Australia, as civil regulatory agencies in both these countries have provided the jet with the required certification.
A Eclipse Aviation statement said Thursday that the company had received certification to operate its Eclipse 500 aircraft in India and Australia, which are now the first two foreign countries to certify the very light jet.
While India's Director General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) granted the Eclipse 500 certification on 7 April, the Civil Aviation Safety Agency (CASA) in Australia certified the jet on 22 April, the company said.
"These accomplishments mark the first of many worldwide Eclipse 500 certifications," said Vern Raburn, the Albuquerque manufacturer's president and CEO. He also said the company had seen "tremendous" interest for the Eclipse 500 outside the United States.
"These certifications in India and Australia position us to meet the strong demand for this innovative aircraft in these countries," he said.
Certification will allow Eclipse to export aircraft and receive certificates of airworthiness in these two countries.