Albuquerque, N.M., June 1, 2013 — Eclipse Aerospace, Inc. (EAI) and National Airways Corporation (NAC) are delighted to announce that Eclipse Aerospace has received a Type Certificate validation from the South African Civil Aviation Authority (SACAA) for the Eclipse Twin-Engine Jet, and the first Eclipse Jet has been exported to South Africa. The Eclipse Jet made its first appearance in Africa at the AAD at Waterkloof in September of 2012. This marks the forty-sixth country in which the Eclipse Jet is certified for use.
NAC is also pleased to announce that SimCom Training Centers, located in Orlando, Florida, have been approved as the Eclipse Jet simulator training service by the SACAA. In addition, to aid Eclipse in country training for South Africa, Francois Naude, the first South African instructor to be rated on the Eclipse and Colin Fletcher from NAC both recently attended the FAA and SACAA approved Eclipse OEM pilot training program in Chicago, Illinois.
JP Fourie, NAC's Director of Fixed Wing Sales, states, "It has been an absolute delight to work with the Eclipse team to make this a reality. We are now perfectly positioned to service our customers in Africa and South Africa with a product that is top of its class, and fully supported by Eclipse Aerospace, who excel in meeting and exceeding customer expectations."
"Eclipse Aerospace is extremely pleased with the award of the Eclipse Jet type certification from South Africa," stated Ken Ross, President of Global Services, Eclipse Aerospace. "It was a pleasure working together with the SACAA and the NAC team to introduce the Eclipse Jet to South Africa. In addition we are excited to welcome Mr. Kobus Dicks as the first Eclipse Jet Owner, not just in South Africa but on the African continent."
"I am extremely pleased with the efficiency and speed of my Eclipse Jet. My business takes me throughout South Africa on a weekly basis, and I’m able to visit multiple facilities in a truly advanced single pilot aircraft that has wholly surpassed my expectations," said Kobus Dicks, the first Eclipse owner in South Africa.
About Eclipse Aerospace, Inc.
Eclipse Aerospace, Inc. is the manufacturer of the Eclipse 550 twin-engine jet, the most fuel-efficient jet in the world. Eclipse also provides engineering, maintenance, service, and support for the fleet of 260 Eclipse Twin-Engine aircraft. Adhering to the motto “Customer First,” Eclipse Aerospace is focused on providing a superior customer experience for existing and future owners, operators, and pilots of the revolutionary Eclipse Jet. Eclipse Aerospace corporate offices are based in Charleston, S.C. Principle operations are located in Albuquerque, N.M. and Chicago, Ill. Eclipse Aerospace is located on the web at www.ECLIPSE.aero.
About National Airways Corporation
National Airways Corporation was established in 1946 and over the years has spread its wings to become the largest general aviation company in Africa and one of the largest of its kind in the world. From its headquarters at Lanseria Airport in Johannesburg, NAC operates a South African network of offices in Cape Town, Durban, Grand Central Airport, Wonderboom Airport and Rand Airport. NAC also has businesses internationally with Awesome Flight Logistics in Perth, Australia and Specialized Aircraft Services in Wichita, USA. NAC offers a full range of aviation services and products to the fixed wing and helicopter markets, including aircraft sales, aircraft maintenance, parts, value added products, charter, international operations and pilot training.
