Aero-TV Ponders Some VLJ Questions... And VLJ Answers

A Number of Eclipse Buyers Talk About Their Decisions

Wow; what a difference a few weeks make... ANN's Aero-TV crews spent some time in Albuquerque a few weeks back, before Oshkosh and the startling events that occurred there -- and chatted up a number of Eclipse owners/buyers about their thoughts about the airplane, the industry, and the issues of the day. We present their discussion for your perusal, and look forward to getting back to some of these same people in the next year to see how their answers, concerns and aspirations have held up as Eclipse remakes itself -- post Raburn.

We covered some interesting ground... from the recently announced Eclipse 400, to the price increase Eclipse instituted for the Eclipse 500 twin jet program so that the company could work its way to profitability.

The Eclipse 400, in particular, was on the tip of everyone's tongue. After completing 10 months of extensive research on the ECJ, Eclipse claimed back in may that they were "confident this is the perfect aircraft for the emerging single-engine jet market. As many of you have experienced firsthand, this jet inspires people. It immediately captures their imaginations, and when they look a little closer and begin to grasp the level of performance and value it delivers – they are truly blown away."

Previous Eclipse customers were the first allowed to place deposits on the 1.35 million dollar Eclipse 400. Public deposits were accepted, for the first time, during at EAA AirVenture 2008.

The Eclipse 400 will be powered by a Pratt & Whitney Canada PW615F engine. At an estimated 330 knots, it will use less than one pound of fuel per nautical mile — making it the world’s most fuel-efficient jet aircraft. It seats four and cruises at 41,000 feet, nearly four miles above its closest competition. It will also feature the most sophisticated flight deck and complete aircraft integration available in general aviation. The Eclipse 400 is priced at $1.35 million in June 2008 economics, and at last report, Eclipse ...

Category:

News & Politics

Tags:

• aero-news
• aerospace
• aerotv
• aviation
• bizjet
• e-400
• e-500
• ecj
• eclipse
• jet
• pilot
• pj
• pratt
• pw610f
• raburn
• space
• vlj
• whitney

[757LeftSeat]

Thank you for posting this and keeping us informed about some of the important developments in GA.

[DoubleDutchBust]

2:56

PT

[prettyboy1970]

Eclipse looked promising. There are probably very few civilian jets that can match it's speed. Hoefully they'll make a comeback when the economy is better.

[YankeeAirPirate61]

Stunning when they were asked about a 220% price increase!

Responses of; that makes my plane worth more, Im a stock holder and it is not fair since I put a deposit down 4 years ago!

This should have served as a primary reason to demand a refund and shop elsewhere.

Now Eclipse is bankrupt, the deposits are gone and the completed aircraft are parts and support orphans.