Nimbus Group Awards Eclipse Aviation Order for 1,000 Aircraft
Fleet of Eclipse 500 jets will enable air taxi services
ALBUQUERQUE, NM — September 17, 2001 — Eclipse Aviation Corporation today announced Nimbus Group (AMEX: TTA) has placed an order for 1,000 Eclipse 500 jet aircraft. Nimbus plans to use the aircraft to operate air taxi services throughout North and South America.
In a related move, Nimbus has committed to make an equity investment in Eclipse Aviation, manufacturer of the next-generation Eclipse 500 jet. Specific information about the equity investment has not been disclosed.
“Today Eclipse Aviation and Nimbus are one step closer to providing people with an alternative to scheduled air transportation services,” said Vern Raburn, president and CEO of Eclipse Aviation. “With this fleet order our vision of an air taxi service will become a reality. We at Eclipse could not be happier.”
Under the terms of the agreement, Eclipse will deliver the aircraft to Nimbus over a five-year period beginning in 2004. The deal creates a time-to-market advantage for Nimbus and provides for the aggressive and rapid expansion of the company’s fleet.
“Eclipse is creating an aircraft, that for the first time ever, will offer characteristics, acquisition and direct operating costs low enough to enable the creation of an affordable, personal air taxi service,” said Ilia Lekach, president and CEO of Nimbus Group. “We recognized the unique and exciting opportunity the Eclipse 500 makes possible and we will be proud to be the first to offer an air taxi service on this continent.”
About Eclipse
Eclipse Aviation is in the business of designing, certifying and producing modern, affordable jet aircraft that will revolutionize the transportation market. The company is applying revolutionary propulsion, manufacturing and electronics systems to produce aircraft that cost less than a third of today's small jet aircraft, will be significantly safer and easier to operate than those of today, and have the lowest cost of ownership ever achieved in a jet aircraft.
The goal of Eclipse is to bring the word "personal" into aviation, making it possible for commercial air passengers to move directly between cities on a quick, affordable and convenient basis. It will also allow pilot owners to enter the world of jet-powered aviation. Contact Eclipse at
http://www.eclipseaviation.com