Eclipse Business Jet
Eclipse Aviation produce innovative, affordable jets that are revolutionizing air transportation. Eclipse are the proud creators of the world's very first Very Light Jet (VLJ).
Eclipse applies advances in technology, manufacturing processes and business practices to create high-performance aircraft that provide the lowest cost of jet ownership ever achieved.
By changing the value proposition for private jet travel, Eclipse is allowing more pilots to enter the world of jet-powered aviation and enabling a new generation of entrepreneurs to help business travelers move between cities on a quick, affordable and convenient basis
A revolutionary design, the Eclipse is a lightweight, five-seat business
jet that is targeted to sell for around $1.5 million. That may sound like a
lot of money, until you consider that even low-end Learjets sell for $10
million or more.
The Eclipse is powered by two Pratt & Whitney PW610F turbofan engines
mounted in tail-end nacelles.
Cruising speed is 375 knots (403 mph/672 kph) with a range of 1,280 nautical
miles (1472 mi/2,455 km).
The airframe required the development of radically new manufacturing
techniques and Eclipse engineers stepped up to the plate. Replacing riveting
with a system of welding for the skin and underlying structure, the design
calls for a composite body made from an aluminum skin laid in a mold. The
structure is then built on top, just the reverse of how one typically thinks
of manufacturing processes where the skin goes on last.
Eclipse 500. Image © Eclipse Aviation Corporation, 2008.
But reversing traditional conceptions is what innovation in business jet engineering is all about and Eclipse Aviation has done that in spades. Incorporating the latest cockpit technology, with all new AVIO Avionics rarely found in low-cost aircraft, the crew has all the best systems at its disposal.
Eclipse business jets will be able to land at any of 10,000 airports throughout the
U.S. (many of them underutilized) thanks to the takeoff and landing distance
of just over 2,000 feet (about 610 m). Putting the arrival and departure
points nearer the clients will help propel the company to the top ranks of
'air taxi' business jets in very short order.
Roel Pieper became the Chief Executive Officer of Eclipse Aviation in July
2008. He is also the Chairman of the Eclipse Board of Directors.
Eclipse has the engineering talent, the management experience, the
investment muscle and most of all the vision to bring to life one of the
most important changes to business jets in aviation history.
For more information visit: www.eclipseaviation.com.