Eclipse Aviation Ea-500

Twin Jet

The Eclipse 500 holds the distinction of being the first very light jet (VLJ) certified for single-pilot operation under FAR Part 23, entering service in 2006 as the flagship of Eclipse Aviation's ambitious vision to democratize jet ownership. Designed around two Pratt & Whitney Canada PW610F turbofans producing just 900 pounds of thrust each, the EA-500 was engineered for efficiency and simplicity rather than raw performance, targeting owner-pilots and air-taxi operators with a price point initially promised below $1.5 million. Its friction-stir-welded aluminum fuselage and reliance on Garmin's Avio integrated flight deck represented a clean-sheet approach to light-jet design, though the company's financial collapse in 2008 and subsequent resurrection under new ownership left fewer than 260 aircraft delivered. The Eclipse 500 cruises at 370 knots true airspeed up to FL410 with a range of roughly 1,125 nautical miles, making it suitable for regional business travel but limited compared to conventional light jets. Its compact size—just 33 feet long with a 37-foot wingspan—and relatively low operating costs attracted niche operators, though the type never achieved the transformational market penetration its creators envisioned. SkyMeter has tracked 2 flights across 1 airframes and 1 operators, with distinct routes observed.