The crisp Michigan air afforded a visibility of at least 30 or 40 miles as we approached Mackinac Island (KMCD) in Ken Ross’ Eclipse 550, N140NE. The airplane sported a jazzy black-and-gold paint job that already had me thinking the flight would be different from the one I’d taken in the original Eclipse nearly eight years earlier from Chicago Executive Airport. Sitting in the right seat and with me in the left, Ross suggested we shoot the GPS Runway 26 Approach at KMCD to give me ample time to align with the island’s single runway, a strip that can be tough to pick out on this island community where the trees easily outnumber the people.
We Fly: One Aviation Eclipse 550
Key Takeaways:
- The Eclipse 550 is a significantly improved very light jet (VLJ) over its predecessor, featuring an integrated cockpit, advanced avionics like autothrottles and anti-skid brakes, and enhanced safety systems.
- Designed for owner-pilots, it offers efficient twin-engine performance for high-altitude, high-speed travel, making it a viable upgrade for those transitioning from high-performance piston or turboprop aircraft.
- One Aviation provides a comprehensive and personalized training program for new owners, which includes upset prevention and recovery training (UPRT) and post-certification mentoring to ensure pilot proficiency and confidence.
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