New Eclipse

Isabel Goyer

Wednesday, February 16, 2011 at 10:47 PM ET

Verified

Eclipse EA500 [Credit: Robert Goyer]

Key Takeaways:

The original Eclipse 500 jet experienced a turbulent history under Eclipse Aviation, marked by unrealistic promises, significant technical challenges, and ultimately a billion-dollar financial collapse.
The company was resurrected as Eclipse Aerospace, which has achieved stability by focusing on refurbishing existing EA500s to modern standards and through a strategic partnership with Sikorsky.
Despite its past, the EA500 is praised as a remarkable engineering accomplishment—a compact, high-performance twinjet offering impressive speed, range, and operational efficiency for single-pilot use.
Refurbished "Total Eclipse" models, now equipped with modern upgrades and support, offer an attractive package for $2.15 million, providing a comfortable and capable flight experience.

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My first takeoff out of Albuquerque, New Mexico, in the EA500 was anything but an anticlimax. We’d just finished up our pre-takeoff check and Jerry Chambers, Eclipse Aerospace’s chief pilot, was giving me some last-minute advice on the takeoff when the tower came with a takeoff clearance, “No delay for landing 737 traffic, three-mile final.”

So without delay, I added a burst of power, turned the corner and rolled in the power. We accelerated smartly, and the wide runway at ABQ whizzed by beside us. I smiled and pulled back on the sidestick to rotate. We were flying.