Eclipse Aerospace opens doors for production tours

Eclipse Aerospace announced Tuesday a step to raise its local profile by offering tours of its Albuquerque facility to see Eclipse 550 jets during the assembly process.

“Production tours were widely popular with the previous company (bankrupt Eclipse Aviation) and we think our customers and the public would enjoy seeing the aircraft being built,” said company spokeswoman Jill Schepp.

The Eclipse 550 production line has been completely re-engineered after a three-year review of production processes. In its announcement, Eclipse says it is confident that it has fully incorporated best practices, placing Eclipse’s production line among the most modern and efficient in aviation.

“Visitors … will be guided along the production process from the initiation of production through final aircraft airworthiness certification,” said Mason Holland, Eclipse Aerospace CEO, in a statement.

During the two-hour tour, visitors will see work stations from incoming inspection, to the preparation of the raw materials, friction stir welding, assembly of the fuselage, mating of the wings, and the application of personalized paint schemes.

Eclipse’s 215,164 square feet of manufacturing space and 53,550 square feet dedicated for services is located next to the Sunport. The facility employs more than 200 people and has the capacity to produce up to 120 aircraft per year.

Tours, with advance reservations, are available weekdays from 8:30 a.m.-3:30 p.m. Call 505-724-1000 or email contact@eclipse.aero.>