Are you looking for a very light jet? The Eclipse 500 is the only true Very Light Jet. Although others have said they would build a VLJ, only Eclipse did so. The Cessna Mustang is an excellent aircraft. However, even the CEO of Cessna does not call it a VLJ. It is simply the smallest twin jet Cessna could build with their proven development capability and traditional manufacturing technology.

The Eclipse 500 is built with a new, patented and FAA approved process called Friction Stir Welding. A different way to join two pieces of metal, it is twice as strong as a conventional riveted joint. The technique is employed extensively in the fuselage and in the wing. The wing is built by Fuji Heavy Industries in Japan, an aerospace company that also builds parts for Boeing.

The engines are the smallest jet engine built by Pratt & Whitney of Canada. Producing 900 pounds of thrust (with an additional 10% available in case of an engine failure) it is a marvel of new engine technology and the quietest jet engine available. It is robust and simple, with a 1,750 hour hot section and 3,500 hour overhaul requirement. Hot sections are done without removing the engine from the aircraft. I personally ingested a small bird through the engine during some touch and go landings and the engine never even sneezed.

The aircraft uses a highly integrated Electrical and Avionics system and is simple to fly. It routinely cruises at it's book number of 370 kts in the 31-35,000 foot range. At max altitude of 41,000' total fuel burn for both engines is under 380 pounds/hour.

It is the quietest jet ever built, both inside and out side the aircraft. On departure, the measured side line noise is less than a Cessna 180 at take-off power. The low speed qualities are excellent, allowing the aircraft to operate from 3,000 runways.

That is the good news! Now, the bad. Most aircraft will need an upgrade from the new owners, Eclipse Aerospace. They can do the FAA approval for Flight Into Known Icing (FIKI). Also the software upgrade to version 1.5, which provides auto pilot tracking capability. Their price is $149,500. An alternative is a Garmin 400 with an RMI. Cost is $17,000.

Most pilot owners have installed the Garmin 400 upgrade which provides legal GPS capability. They also love their aircraft. There is nothing quite like flying a super quiet jet at 41,000' and burning less than 60 gallons per hour. Some parts are in short supply, but the new owners are starting to cure that problem.

If you'd like to learn more about the eclipse Very Light Jet, call or e-mail us in ABQ. 505 858 0005 e-mail: djt13@comcast.net