Eclipse Aviation is Albuquerque’s most recent small business triumph. Eclipse is developing a twin engine, six-seat jet plane, the Eclipse 500. The small privately owned company has completed the first phase of testing and is in the process of applying for certification for its plane by the FAA. The company expects to achieve that milestone by the end of the second quarter of 2006.
On Jan 16, 2006, Eclipse breaks ground on a new facility that will serve as the final assembly area for the company’s new jet. The new facility is located next to Eclipse’ current facility just west of I-25 from the Albuquerque Sunport, and expansion efforts will increase the total square footage from 190,000 to 350,000 square feet. Eclipse expects to hire more than 500 new employees, more than doubling its current workforce.
