Eclipse now taking orders

Eclipse Aerospace announced it is now taking
orders for the Eclipse 550, the new twin-engine jet model in the Eclipse Jet
family.

“We’re thrilled to be taking this
positive step forward in Eclipse history,” said Mason Holland, chief
executive and chairman of Eclipse Aerospace. “We expect a robust customer
response based on the support we’ve received from current Eclipse owners, our
suppliers and the aviation community in general. Ultimate production and
production levels will be driven by overall market demand, and we couldn’t be
more excited or optimistic.”

The Eclipse 550 will be a technologically
advanced, twin-engine jet aircraft with a design that utilises the same
airframe and power plant as the popular EA-500 model, along with significant
innovations in most aircraft systems designed to improve overall operations,
direct operating costs, technology, comfort, and performance.

The Eclipse 550’s enhancements will include
expanded aircraft computer systems and integrated avionics package, which will
now support features such as Auto Throttles, Synthetic Vision, Enhanced Vision,
dual-mode FMS, TAWS, TCAS-1, ADS-B, on-board color radar, Radar Altimeter, and
iPad data entry integration.

The base price of the Eclipse 550
twin-engine jet is USD $2,695,000 (2011 value). Eclipse Aerospace expects to
produce 50 to 100 aircraft per year with deliveries beginning in 2013.