Embattled Eclipse Aviation CEO Vern Raburn is stepping down from the helm of the very light jet manufacturer, according to a company-released statement. Raburn’s departure was a condition of the latest round of financing provided by European Technology and Investment Research Center (ETIRC) Aviation.

ETIRC’s founder and chairman, Roel Pieper, took over as Eclipse’s acting CEO. In January, ETIRC made an initial investment of $100 million in Eclipse Aviation, with Pieper coming aboard as chairman. The size of the new investment was not disclosed.

Raburn leaves the company with a mixed legacy. On the one hand, the former Microsoft executive’s vision was instrumental in creating the entire category of VLJs. But while Eclipse established itself as the leading provider of VLJs, the company struggled to meet production timelines and was forced to increase the price of its mainstay Eclipse 500 as manufacturing costs grew. The challenges earned Raburn frequent criticism from some in the aviation community and blogosphere.

Most recently Eclipse faced a Congressional probe into allegations that the manufacturer received a lax FAA inspection during its certification for the Eclipse 500. That followed an incident in which a throttle malfunction caused a hard landing of an Eclipse 500. The FAA briefly grounded all Eclipse planes until the issue was resolved.

According to the news release, Raburn will advise Pieper as well as joining ETIRC as the vice-chairman of its aviation division.