Editor-in-Chief

Matt Thurber

<p>A group of buyers formed by Houston-based JetsAmerica is offering to purchase former DayJet Eclipse 500s from lienholder United Technologies Finance. As of yesterday, JetsAmerica had commitments from buyers for 13 of the very light jets, and company president Brandon Carlson said he hoped to increase that number to 20 before submitting an offer to UT Finance. “We’re offering only half a million apiece; they aren’t worth much more,” he said. The 28 former DayJet Eclipse 500s span a range of serial numbers from S/N 2 through 63, each with total time between 200 and 410 hours. Some have the aerodynamic upgrades installed, at least two have Avio NG avionics and most need the flight-into-known-icing upgrade. “There’s no guarantee they’re going to accept [our price],” Carlson told AIN, “but in today’s market they just might.” He hopes that JetsAmerica, which manages three Eclipse 500s, will be able to complete the modifications itself. “There’s a risk in buying these airplanes,” Carlson conceded. UT Finance is a subsidiary of United Technologies, parent of Eclipse 500 engine supplier Pratt &amp; Whitney Canada. “UT Finance,” a spokesman said, “does have a security interest in a number of the Eclipse aircraft that were owned by DayJet. However, [United Technologies Corp.] expects that loan value will be fully recovered.” </p>


<p>News and issues concerning the aviation charter and fractional-ownership industries and markets, including company announcements, regulations, new developments and labor issues.</p>
