Good News On European Front for Eclipse

Last Friday, the European Aviation Safety Agency (FAA counterpart for the European Union) finally granted certification for the Eclipse 500 twinjet, two years after FAA certification. Friday's ruling covers private use of the very light jets. Eclipse hopes to receive European approval for commercial operations in time for charter and taxi operators to begin service soon after the New Year. The EASA certification approval does have some strings attached, however. In order to be approved, each aircraft must be equipped with the complete Avio NG 1.5 avionics suite, which was approved by the FAA, also last Friday. European Eclipses will also need a third attitude indicator and dual Mode S transponders.