New Mexico nights, and other matters

We, us happy band, have been a bit inward looking of late. I think it's time to re focus on being what Stan set out to do in 2006.

Be the critics of Eclipse Aviation.

That means we look at the available information, form an opinion and discuss. It's my happy lot to try and provide the odd 'headline' post and hope that this starts something, which 'you' pick over, add to (and subtract from) and generally have a good chat.

Of late we have not looked closely at the people with most at stake. No, not the owners, they clearly have money they are prepared to lose, and don't seem to care how quickly they do it. The suppliers? They are all adults and probably have other companies they can do business with.

It's the STAFF we should consider for a moment.

Many times, in my few short months as custodian of this blog, I've had heartfelt communications with people who were clearly in difficulty. The problem, in almost all cases, was the management 'style' in Eclipse. The same thread runs through the information that has reached me. It would seem that no one, in a senior role at Eclipse, seems to care.

The FAA audit a few weeks ago is a case in point. 42 issues were written up, which would appear to be on the high side. Will this 'light a fire' under the management in Eclipse? The staff seem doubtful.

Managers depart, and people with little or no idea of what to do are appointed in their stead. The line workers know what is needed but cannot get simple messages though, which frustrates them and makes everyone miserable.

Stock options, which were a draw for some people, are clearly worth next to nothing, and everyone knows it. Relocation costs are just added pain, especially when Eclipse seek to bully those that want to leave. 

By their own admission, service calls are not handled well. People left hanging on the phone, not getting responses etc etc. By the time an engineer gets on the case, he is dealing with the problem AND an angry, frustrated owner. The tires issue still awaits resolution, with a promised crossply alternative going some way to compensate owners for having to replace ($1,000 +, each) after 75 or 100 cycles. It better be a lot cheaper than the radial, as the original target was a more normal 500 cycles....

While I don't agree with everything I see posted, one of our 'new' voices reports something that echos what I've heard again and again, from long suffering Eclipse employees. Herewith a excerpt:-

There is one thing I must make clear to you and your leads and your supervisors. YOU CANT INSTALL HUCK CLINCH RIVETS WITH CHERRY MAX GUNS. The Rep from HUCK has told you guys this and so has the Rep from TEXTRON/CHERRY MAX (a TEXTRON Company ) But you guys still do this, WHY, WHY, WHY. We get tired of replacing the loose rivets when the airframe get to us up in SP 2 (SUNPORT 2) If we don’t find them or nobody checks, them only thing holding them in is PAINT after the plane gets painted. STOP THE INSANITY!

Morale is at an all time low. Throughout the company, a litany of missed deadlines, unrealistic expectations, bullying, as well legal threats and other forms of intimidation are grinding people down. You can, it would appear, cut the atmosphere with a knife...

I would remind those of you reading this from 'inside' Eclipse that you may have difficult choices to make, but GA is in pretty good shape and Boeing etc have historically huge orders books. Even your current company could be restructured to a more realistic level and be put on a long term footing.

To finish, remember that the night is always darkest just before the dawn.