ECLIPSE 550
- Passengers 4
The Eclipse 550 is an upgrade of the impressive Eclipse 500, offering business and leisure charter solutions for short-range travel.
About this aircraft
- The Eclipse 550 was designed as an upgrade of the 500 with more enhanced avionics than its predecessor. It was first delivered in 2014.
- The cabin is typically arranged with two, three or four forward-facing seats. A further passenger can sit in the cockpit with a single pilot if owned, but not with a charter.
- Similarly to the 500, the aircraft is capable of completing journeys from London to Cannes or New York to Chicago.
- There’s space in the hold for around two suitcases on an Eclipse 550.
- Production of the Eclipse 550 ended in 2017 to make way for the Eclipse 700.
Despite Eclipse Aviation’s financial struggles, the Eclipse 500 and upgraded 550 compete with other light jets like the Citation Mustang and Phenom 100. A light airframe and modern engines give both models a marked advantage when it comes to fuel efficiency.
Interior design
The Eclipse 550’s sound-proofed and air-conditioned cabin is fitted with two, three or four leather club-style seats, which are ergonomically designed to enhance passenger comfort. Other details include LED lighting, wood trim and tables and power outlets.
Below is a typical configuration found on an Eclipse 550.
Interesting facts to learn before you fly
- The aircraft can operate on paved, grass or dirt runways.
- It’s quieter than many other multi-engine, turboprop and piston aircraft.
- The 500 and 550 are ‘air taxis’ designed for short journeys, with spacious interiors but no lavatory.
Technological features
The Eclipse 550 is powered by two Pratt & Whitney Canada PW610F medium bypass turbofan engines, rated at 4.00kN take-off thrust.
In the cockpit, the Avio avionics suite features an integrated flight management system, Class 3 E-Charts and XM Satellite Weather. Intuitive pilot controls include an easy-to-use synoptic page for each aircraft system.
History
The Eclipse 500 made its maiden flight in 2002 powered by Williams EJ22 engines, which were replaced with Pratt & Whitney Canada PW610F engines prior to its first official flight in late 2004. Deliveries commenced in 2007 and over 250 aircraft were built. The revolutionary light jet pioneered the use of friction stir welding and was likened to an SUV with wings.
The upgraded Eclipse 550 combined the 500’s all-aluminium airframe and engines with improved avionics featuring satellite phones, autothrottles, anti-skid brakes, synthetic vision and enhanced vision systems. Deliveries began in 2014 and production ceased in 2017.
Manufacturer
Former Microsoft executive Vern Raburn founded Eclipse Aviation in 1998 with financial backing from Bill Gates. The company’s first aircraft, the revolutionary Eclipse 500, controversially won the National Aeronautic Association’s Collier Trophy for 2005 despite only the prototype having flown.
Eclipse Aviation developed a second aircraft, the Eclipse 400, but went bankrupt before production started. The company was rescued by software entrepreneur Mason Holland and Air Force colonel Mike Press, relaunching as Eclipse Aerospace in 2009. The new owners secured U.S. certification for the Eclipse 500 and released the upgraded Eclipse 550.
Following slow sales, Eclipse merged with turboprop maker Kestrel Aircraft to form One Aviation in April 2015. The business later entered bankruptcy and the Eclipse aircraft programme’s assets were purchased by AML Global Eclipse in 2021.
Cost
Depending on factors like age and condition, the average price of a used Eclipse 550 is around $2.4 million (USD).
Charter rates
Charter rates for the Eclipse 550 vary depending on the length of your journey and the airports you’re flying in and out of.
If you’d like to charter a Eclipse 550, contact our team for a quote today. For information on other charter options, browse our list of available private aircraft.
Wet lease rates
ACMI (Aircraft, Crew, Maintenance, Insurance) wet lease rates for the Eclipse 550 vary depending on the age of the aircraft, lease term length, number of guaranteed block hours and average cycle ratio. Contact us for a personalised quote.
