CAA: GA News, "Utah airport officials tout new jets"

["Stephen Irwin" <stepheni@xxxxxxxxx>]

Tuesday, October 22, 2002

Spanish Fork airport officials tout new jets 
By Rodger L. Hardy
The Salt Lake City (UT) Deseret News


 SPANISH FORK - A new small passenger jet that can land and take off
from community airports with short landing strips could change the face
of business aviation, local airport officials say.

 The Eclipse 500, now under development, could change travel for highly
paid businesspeople now using commercial jets in crowded airports that
fly only to main hubs. The smaller jets - which will carry a price tag
under $1 million, about one-third the cost of today's typical small jets
- will mostly be privately owned.

 At 85 pounds each, its engines are the lightest in the industry. The
jet flies about 400 knots per hour and can soar above the weather at
41,000 feet, said Cris Child, Spanish Fork-Springville Airport board
chairman. The twin-engine craft seats five, plus a pilot.

 That could turn smaller airports, such as the one in Spanish Fork, into
destination airports for business travelers rich enough to buy one, he
told the City Council last week. One local resident has already ordered
an Eclipse that will be headquartered at the small south Utah County
airport.

 First deliveries aren't expected until January 2004.

 The plane could easily land and take off from the airport's
5,800-foot-long runway, airport manager Tom Woodhouse said. More than
650 airports around the country could accommodate the plane, according
to the manufacturer's Web site, www.eclipseaviation.com.

 "It'll change things a lot," Woodhouse said. "It'll create a whole
different aspect of flying."

 As commercial airlines struggle with security and scheduling issues,
the smaller, privately owned craft will become more popular, he said. By
flying directly to smaller airports, executives won't have to drive to
smaller cities from main airport hubs.

 The Provo City Airport, which is only five miles away and can
accommodate large jets, will have no problem with the smaller jets.
Provo may be more attractive to the smaller aircraft, except that it's
busier than the airport in Spanish Fork, manager Steve Gleason said.

 The Spanish Fork-Springville Airport isn't planning any changes to
accommodate the craft, Woodhouse said.

 Child said the smaller jet could make the Spanish Fork airport more
important, however.

 "Executives' time is very expensive," Child told the council. "This jet
can cut (travel) time in half."


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