Vern Raburn: VLJ Villain Or Air Taxi Visionary?

Graham Warwick May 01, 2026
Vern Raburn

Vern Raburn sought to bring a personal-computer production approach to aircraft manufacturing.

Credit: Titan Aerospace
One man, one company and one aircraft caused more controversy in aerospace than any others in recent years: Vern Raburn, Eclipse Aviation and the very light jet (VLJ). Raburn died on April 25 at age 75. The former software industry executive will forever be remembered for trying, and failing, to...
Graham Warwick

Graham leads Aviation Week's coverage of technology, focusing on engineering and technology across the aerospace industry, with a special focus on identifying technologies of strategic importance to aviation, aerospace and defense.

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