Eclipse on Track to Deliver First 550

Tuesday, March 19, 2013 at 08:43 PM ET

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Key Takeaways:

Eclipse Aerospace announced this week that it has started up the engines on the first production Model 550 very light jet, the new version of the Eclipse 500, production of which ceased when Eclipse Aviation was forced into bankruptcy in November 2008.

The two Pratt & Whitney PW610F engines that power the Eclipse 550 collectively produce 1,800 pounds of thrust and are the same type that powered the original Eclipse jet.

Pia Bergqvist

Pia Bergqvist joined FLYING in December 2010. A passionate aviator, Pia started flying in 1999 and quickly obtained her single- and multi-engine commercial, instrument and instructor ratings. After a decade of working in general aviation, Pia has accumulated almost 3,000 hours of flight time in nearly 40 different types of aircraft.