One Aviation
| Company type | Private |
|---|---|
| Industry | Aerospace |
| Predecessor | Eclipse Aerospace, Kestrel Aircraft |
| Founded | 2015 |
| Defunct | 2021 |
| Fate | Bankruptcy and liquidation |
| Successor | Eclipse Aerospace, Inc. (for Eclipse assets) |
| Headquarters | Albuquerque , United States |
Key people | Alan Klapmeier (CEO), Mason Holland (Chairman) |
| Products | Eclipse 550, Eclipse 700 (development), Kestrel K-350 (development halted) |
| Owner | Citiking International US LLC (investor during bankruptcy), AML Global Eclipse LLC (acquirer of Eclipse assets) |
The One Aviation Corporation, branded as ONE Aviation, was established in 2015 following the consolidation of the aircraft manufacturers Eclipse Aerospace and Kestrel Aircraft. Based in Albuquerque, New Mexico, the firm concentrated on manufacturing the Eclipse 550 very light jet from 2015 until 2018 and advancing the development of the Eclipse 700. Additionally, it pursued the Kestrel K-350 turboprop aircraft project, which was halted in 2017 due to financial and legal challenges.
In October 2018, One Aviation initiated a Chapter 11 bankruptcy filing as part of its operational restructuring. By February 2021, this bankruptcy proceeding was converted to a Chapter 7 liquidation, marking the cessation of its business activities.
Organization
Alan Klapmeier, previously CEO of Kestrel and Cirrus Aircraft, was appointed as One Aviation’s inaugural CEO, while Mason Holland, former Eclipse Aerospace CEO, served as Chairman. The company initially continued production of the Eclipse 550, inherited from Eclipse Aerospace, with plans to finalize certification for the Kestrel K-350. One Aviation consolidated functions such as management, supply chain, marketing, and sales but retained distinct manufacturing facilities: Eclipse operations in Albuquerque, New Mexico and Chicago, Illinois, and Kestrel production in Superior, Wisconsin and Brunswick, Maine.
History
The formation of One Aviation through the merger of Eclipse and Kestrel was publicly announced on April 15, 2015, during the AERO Friedrichshafen trade event.
In 2016, One Aviation redirected its efforts toward enhancing the Eclipse 550 by developing the Eclipse 700, suspending work on the Kestrel K-350. By March 2017, production of the Eclipse 550 had been discontinued to focus solely on the EA700. The initial test wing for this model was flown in September 2017 using an Eclipse 500 fuselage as a test platform.
Legal proceedings began in October 2017 when Wisconsin filed a lawsuit against Kestrel for failing to repay $4 million in loans plus tax incentives related to K-350 development. Only $865,490 had been reimbursed before payments ceased in November 2016. The state-backed tax credits required creation of 600 jobs for manufacturing; however, only about one-tenth of those positions were filled. By April 2018, Wisconsin sought $3.6 million in outstanding payments. That same month, One Aviation was evicted from its Brunswick facility after more than a year of unpaid rent and laid off employees across all sites. The company cited its transition from EA550 to EA700 production and ongoing efforts to secure outside investment.
On April 26, 2018, Albuquerque authorities demanded that One Aviation and Eclipse Aerospace either clear their leased premises or settle $895,000 in overdue rent secured by an Eclipse 500 prototype used for EA700 testing. By May 8, One Aviation had paid $162,000 and requested restructuring agreements; however, the city declined and issued an eviction notice on May 16. The company committed to promptly paying remaining rent and continuing operations from other hangars. New investors were anticipated to stabilize maintenance services, upgrades, parts support for a fleet numbering 286 aircraft, and resume EA550 production alongside ongoing EA700 development. By late May 2018, Citiking International US LLC cleared all outstanding rent with a payment totaling $1,081,657 to Albuquerque.
On October 10, 2018, One Aviation voluntarily filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy, securing funds to sustain operations including support for existing Eclipse aircraft fleets and further development of the EA700. The firm did not clarify its intentions regarding the Kestrel program. No aircraft deliveries occurred during 2018 or 2019 while carrying nearly $200 million in debt. Citiking International—a Chinese investor involved since October 2017—expanded its role after bankruptcy by providing a $17 million debt facility. On March 9, 2020, regulatory approval was granted for Citiking International’s acquisition of One Aviation.
However, on October 22, 2020, Citiking was removed from the sale process; AML Global Eclipse LLC—owned by British entrepreneur Christopher Harborne—announced plans to acquire Eclipse Aerospace assets for $5.25 million including rights to the Eclipse Aircraft project. The court hearing took place in November with Citiking’s objections considered; notably, AML Global’s offer excluded the Kestrel division.
By October 2020, combined deliveries from Eclipse Aerospace and One Aviation totaled only 33 aircraft—all models of the Eclipse 550.
In February 2021, due to diminished confidence in management, the bankruptcy court terminated One Aviation’s Chapter 11 reorganization and ordered conversion to Chapter 7 liquidation. AML Global will continue providing support for existing Eclipse aircraft under Eclipse Aerospace, Inc., while Nautical Hero Group LLC submitted a bid for assets related to Kestrel.
Aircraft
| Model designation | Maiden flight | Quantity produced | Category |
|---|---|---|---|
| Eclipse 700 | September 2017 | 1 prototype wing design (2021) | Six-seat, twin-engine jet aircraft |
| Eclipse 550 | March 2013 | 33 units (2020) | Six-seat, twin-engine jet aircraft |
| Kestrel K-350 | July 2006 | 1 proof-of-concept model (2015) | Six-seat, single-engine turboprop aircraft |
External links
- Aircraft manufacturers of the United States
- 2015 establishments in New Mexico
- American companies established in 2015
- Manufacturing companies established in 2015
- Companies based in New Mexico
- Companies that filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy in 2018
- Companies that filed for Chapter 7 bankruptcy in 2021
- Companies that have filed for Chapter 7 bankruptcy