Vern Raburn, a former high-ranking Microsoft executive and Symantec CEO, founded Eclipse Aviation in 1998. Eventually establishing its headquarters in Albuquerque, New Mexico, the company manufactured the Eclipse 500, a very light jet that was first delivered in 2007.
In 2009, Eclipse Aviation’s assets were purchased by Eclipse Aerospace, a company formed specifically to make the acquisition. In 2010, Eclipse Aerospace launched a Total Eclipse brand under which it sold refurbished Eclipse 500s. The company later launched an Eclipse SE (Special Edition) program consisting of refurbished 500s brought up to the latest standards. The company also started production on the Eclipse 550, a very light jet whose first unit was delivered in 2013.
In 2015, Eclipse Aerospace merged with Kestrel Aircraft to create ONE Aviation, also headquartered in Albuquerque. Led by CEO Alan Klapmeier, founder of Cirrus Aviation and Kestrel, Eclipse Aerospace detailed in 2017 possible plans to replace the 550 with a model codenamed “Canada” that’s reportedly targeted for a 2018 or 2019 release with longer wings, 7% additional cabin space, and 31% more baggage space over the 550.
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