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Nimbus Group Finds Financing Commitment For 1,000 Eclipse Jets
. .By AviationNow.com Staff
12-Feb-2002 11:30 AM U.S. EST
Fort Lauderdale, Fla.-based Nimbus Group secured a financial commitment of up to $1.2 billion to help finance its dreams of building one of the world's largest air taxi services with a fleet of up to 1,000 Eclipse 500 jet aircraft.
Formerly known as Take to Auction, Nimbus struck a deal with start-up jet manufacturer Eclipse Aviation for 1,000 of the "micro jets" and an equity stake in the company.
Nimbus last month decided to spin off its online aircraft Take to Auction, freeing the company to focus on its new air taxi service.
The company got a financial commitment from Royal Bank of Scotland affiliate DAFIN Asset Finance for $1.2 billion to pay for the Eclipse aircraft.
"We share the vision of Nimbus in this untapped market segment," said Steve Redman, chief executive of DAFIN Asset. "Nimbus will add a new dimension to cost and convenience for corporate and private travelers revolutionizing the global air travel industry."
While still in development, the Eclipse jet has captured the attention of both industry executives and government leaders for its new technologies and low cost.
At $837,500, the six-place Eclipse 500 is priced far below any other jet aircraft, and former NASA Administrator Dan Goldin cited the aircraft in his vision of developing new technologies that would bring low-cost private aircraft to market.
Eclipse first cut metal on the aircraft in September and hopes to fly it in July.
Under the Eclipse plan, the aircraft would win government approval in late 2003 with first customer deliveries following in early 2004.
The aircraft is designed to fly at 355 knots, have a 1,300-nautical-mile range and a 41,000-foot ceiling.
<a href="http://www.eclipseaviation.com/500jet/specs.htm" target="_blank">web page</a>
[ 13 February 2002: Message edited by: ORAC ]</p>