Why the Eclipse Jet is Still the Best Very Light Jet

Hands down, the best performance, comfortable, and fun-to-fly very light jet is the Eclipse.

Yes, the company has had many ups and downs and its future for support and growth is uncertain, that aside, this jet managed to be the first to market with an impressive aircraft chock full of impressive design features and considerations.

#eclipsejet #verylightjet #jetpilot #jetlife #avgeek

[myrenkohlhorst]

When that plane was in initial design, I worked at Williams international. The plane was originally called Pronto. I have a couple shirts and a hat and jacket named as such. I worked with Vern Raburn and Doctor Sam Williams building a full size mockup of the fuselage from nose cone to the rear bulkhead. All in plywood and cardboard. We used Cadillac Catara seats to start and changed them as we progressed. I then mocked up the tail section and that was where the batteries were and the AC back then. I then was given a Beach 18 fuselage from forward bulkhead to just behind the seats and made a flight simulator to help design with the side stick. A video would project on the wall like you were flying. Great program and then both companies parted ways and they moved to Mexico. Somewhere I have alot of pictures of this and did offer then to One Avation but never did. Now I'm retired after 37 years at williams and I understand the 700 if it happens will use the Williams FJ33 engines like the Cerris SF50.

[DanFrederiksen]

I keep coming back to the Eclipse. It's my reference to beat turboprops with. It has same or better mileage than the TBM turboprop singles which is a pretty amazing fact. And that's close to 5million.

[andymunnings]

"I like your honesty and your full explanation of the aircraft functionality during your presentation. That is how a presentation should be. Although the aircraft is small, manufactures must install a tranformable seated lavatory and toilet bay at the rear of the fuselage. I feel with this simple feature installed on the aircraft would be outstanding, because? It(The Aircraft) is already great-(Personally? I like the compacted size)." 👍

[gbsorenson]

Love the Eclipse! I've been flying my Trinidad for 7 yrs, love my plane but have wanted to fly an Eclipse for years! Thanks for the walk around!

[ralphsmith]

Thank you sir for your fine presentation of the Eclipse. I especially appreciate your going over the room in the cock-pit as I'm a 6'3 300 lb gym rat ( not a tub of I'm 58 retired LAPD. I have Commercial, instrument, and Multi-engine ratings. Also Commercial rotorcraft. Flew turbine LAPD helicopters for my last few years on the job. 1850 hrs tt. Any idea if I would be insurable in that plane provided of course I flew with a mentor pilot for x amount of hours?

[TonyDeSantis-vfjk]

Thank you, wonderful walk-through of the airplane

[JustSayNO]

7:45 That hook mounted on the top/center cabin, I though that was a CAPS handle. Excuse me, a EAPS handle.

[pilotrob]

Another great video from Rich and Tigre! Love my Eclipse. Nothing like it.

[rfriesen]

Great video. Happy to see more in flight videos.

[cougarlove]

Nice. I prefer this over the Vision Jet.

[ramiroguerrero]

I'm Heli pilot but always looked at the eclipse as the fix wing I would fly, you did an excellent job at showing its class🥇🍻

[larrytompkins]

great video, i will watch this one a few times

[keljaz]

How many hours are recommended before transitioming into the EA 500/550? I understand it was designed for pilots coming from SEL background. Also the ME rating is included in the Eclipse type rating. Is this true?

[brgllc]

Rich- Eclipse recently delivered 2 new 550's. Do you know what (if any) updates/modifications were made to the new deliveries?

[ChulumancoNyaku]

Great thanks, wish you'd do the same sort of review of the Flaris Lar

[bogdanskutkiewicz]

Amazing. I was looking for such a video about EClipse 500. Thnk you. Could you show us how tall pilot fit on it please?

[JustSayNO]

7:30 can install a little bed back there

[larrymontoya]

I didn't know Eclipse was still in business. I used to work for them years ago

[billymatthews]

Rich can you post some videos of Using the FMS on approaches, holding patterns and flying arrivals.

[Glofilter]

I see you've flown the Cirrus jet since you posted this video. Is the Eclipse still the best? I personally would always want 2 engines over 1, especially if flying over water. Parachute works, but I'd rather captain an airplane than a raft.