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 and integrated twin-engine very light jet, offering impressive performance (e.g., 375 knots, 41,000 ft ceiling) and advanced safety features, designed for owner-pilots moving up from high-performance piston aircraft.
- One Aviation provides a comprehensive and personalized training program for the 550, including Upset Prevention and Recovery Training (UPRT) and a post-type rating mentoring system, emphasizing real-world operational guidance and safety.
- Despite its compact size and the company's dynamic history, the Eclipse 550 is presented as a reliable, safe, and efficient owner-flown jet experience, appealing to pilots seeking high performance and integrated systems.
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