News Item
02.26.10
Eclipse 500 Meets Environmental and Economical Needs of U-Haul International
Their Challenge
U-Haul needed a way to economically service their 1,500 stores throughout the country and in a sustainable manner. Their mission states, "At U-Haul, we are committed to sustainable development through environmental protection, social responsibility and economic efficiency."
Our Solution
U-Haul turned to Eclipse Aerospace to solve some of their transportation issues. Targeting a high-performance mode of transportation, the moving and storage company was drawn to the Eclipse 500™. As the first of a new class of Very Light Jets (VLJ), the six-seat Eclipse jet is powered by two lightweight turbofan engines. These revolutionary aircraft are powered by two Pratt & Whitney engines that are very economical to operate. The Eclipse 500 burns jet fuel at a low consumption rate which is 35 percent less than the most comparable small jet on the market today, while still flying in the upper flight levels safely above most weather at speeds in excess of 400 mph. A perfect complement to U-Haul‘s mission to protect the environment, the Eclipse 500 allows them to transport staff safely and efficiently to serve the needs of customers throughout the United States.
The Result
Today U-haul owns two Eclipse 500s and leases a third to add to their business aircraft fleet, which includes a Pilatus PC-12 and a BeechJet.
U-Haul Chairman Edward "Joe" Shoen selected the Eclipse 500 Jet because of its economics; low direct operating cost, reliability, maintainability and "green" footprint. Shoen stated, "Compared to larger, more expensive jets or even the commercial airlines, the Eclipse 500 fits our needs perfectly. We selected the Eclipse 500 to save travel time and costs in managing our stores. Our middle managers can visit three to four stores in different cities each day with the Eclipse 500, versus using airlines that would take one day per city."
In late 2009, new management has taken the helm of the manufacturing and servicing of Eclipse Aircraft. With this change in Eclipse management, U-haul‘s Eclipse 500s became some of the first aircraft to go through a new upgrade program. This six-week modernization of the aircraft adds Flight into Known Icing, an upgraded coupled Auto-Pilot, and an advanced GPS Navigation System.
Shoen reflected, "I also like the Eclipse 500 for its environmentally-friendly design. I can fly 400 mph and burn only twice the fuel as my wife‘s SUV going 60 mph." The Eclipse 500 uses new technology to consume less fuel, produce fewer emissions and emit less engine noise than any other jet airplane in the world. In addition, the Eclipse 500 utilizes a new fire suppression technology called PhostrEx. Unlike typical Halon based systems, PhostrEx does not deplete our atmospheric ozone layer and is environmentally-friendly. "It is not often that more environmentally friendly products are introduced to the market that at the same time are more cost efficient to aquire and operate than comparable systems," Shoen concluded. "We are elated with our Eclipse Jets!"
"Companies like U-Haul that need fast, economical, regional travel are perfect customers for the Eclipse 500," shared Mason Holland, Chairman and President of Eclipse Aerospace. "We are proud to be the business airplane of choice for U-Haul and look forward to serving their air transportation needs for many years to come."
Other Press Releases:
05.13.13: Crownair Selected as Factory Authorized Gold Service Center for Eclipse Twin-Engine Jets
04.09.13: Eclipse Launches Tour of Modern, Updated Production Facility
03.28.13: Eclipse Receives Production Certificate for EA550 Final Assembly
03.18.13: Eclipse 550 Jet 'Powered Up' on Its Way to First Delivery
01.07.13: Eclipse Submits RFI to USAF Request for Very Light Jet Fleet
10.31.12: Eclipse Reveals Lexavia as Enhanced Vision Supplier
10.30.12: IS&S and Eclipse Aerospace Announce Production Order for Eclipse 550 Flightdeck
09.26.12: Eclipse Announces Anti-Skid Brakes
07.24.12: Eclipse Aerospace Announces Brazilian Type Certification Validation
07.25.12: Pratt & Whitney Canada’s PW610 Engine Selected to Power New Eclipse 550 Aircraft
07.03.12: Eclipse Aerospace Announces "Total Eclipse = Total Savings" Program
06.04.12: Eclipse Announces Official Start of Production of 550 Model
05.15.12: PZL Mielec, a Sikorsky Company, Contracted to Build Eclipse 550 Airframe
04.25.12: Eclipse Receives Production Certificate from FAA for the Eclipse 550
04.19.12: Eclipse Operator Receives Part 135 Paperless Cockpit Approval
02.22.12: iPad App Announced for Eclipse Jet Owners
11.14.11: EAI Announces UAE Type Certificate Validation & 5 Aircraft Sales Into Region
10.10.11: An Eclipse Jet is donated to the Veterans Airlift Command at NBAA
10.10.11: Eclipse 550: Now Taking Orders
07.28.11: Eclipse Sales Take Off at EAA AirVenture 2011
07.25.11: Eclipse Jet Returns to 41,000 Feet
06.23.11: PhostrEx Receives FAA Approval
06.08.11: Total Eclipse Over Birmingham
06.06.11: Eclipse Sells Out Avio IFMS Upgrades for 2011
03.30.11: Eclipse Receives STC for Avio IFMS
02.02.11: Sikorsky Aircraft Completes Investment in Eclipse Aerospace
10.20.10: Eclipse Aerospace, Inc. and Sikorsky Aircraft Corp. Announce an Agreement in Principle for Sikorsky to Make an Investment in Eclipse
10.19.10: Eclipse Aerospace & IS&S Announce an Integrated FMS for Eclipse Twin-Engine Jet
09.20.10: Eclipse Aerospace Announces Release of Enhanced Windshield, Return to 41,000 Feet
09.02.10: SimCom's Eclipse Sims Receive FAA Level D Certification
05.26.10: Eclipse Aerospace Announces Eclipse Aircraft Insurance Program
05.06.10: Boca Aircraft Maintenance Named US Southeast Factory Authorized Gold Service Center for Eclipse Aerospace
04.19.10: Eclipse Aerospace Announces Platinum Service Center in Istanbul
03.29.10: Eclipse Aerospace Announces Introduction of the Total Eclipse®
03.18.10: Eclipse Selects SimCom as Training Partner
