Dubai Aerospace Enterprise Flight Academy (DAEFA) has ordered 12 Eclipse 500s with delivery starting in 2008. "The purchase marks Eclipse Aviation's entry into the ab initio flight training market," says president and ceo of Eclipse Aviation Vern Raburn.

"We see tremendous future growth and sales in this sector." DAEFA says factors in its decision included the highly-advanced Avio NG total aircraft integration system. "This makes the Eclipse 500 an ideal training aircraft for the new ICAO Multi Crew Pilot License and a great tool to prepare for airline training."

DAE University plans to open the Flight Academy in March 2008 in the emirate of Ras Al Khaimah at the site of a former air force base. It will be the first school of its type to use the Eclipse 500 and the program will offer a 12-month course starting every month with up to 400 students in training at any given time. DAEFA takes zero-time pilots and trains them in Technically Advanced Aircraft. Students will start their training in a Cirrus SR22, progress to an Eclipse 500, and finish with a type rating in a multi-crew jet transport aircraft. DAEFA plans to train thousands of aerospace and aviation professionals to fill the shortage of pilots in the Middle East, Europe, India and North Africa.

"The Eclipse 500 is a perfect fit for our flight training program. This aircraft offers tremendous value considering that it is a highly-reliable twin engine VLJ with advanced electronics and tightly-integrated systems, at a very low cost," said Dr. George H. Ebbs, president and ceo of DAE University.