Very Light Jet (VLJ) - Legacy Production
Eclipse 500: Complete Specs, Performance, and Buyer's Guide (2026)
Eclipse Aviation (production ended 2008, bankrupt 2009)
Eclipse 500: Complete Specs, Performance, and Buyer's Guide (2026)
The Eclipse 500 (EA500) is the controversial VLJ that helped define the Very Light Jet category, with twin Pratt & Whitney Canada PW610F engines producing just 900 lbf each (1,800 lbf total), the lowest fuel burn of any twin-engine jet in production at the time, and a $1.35 million pre-owned price point that remains among the most-attainable in business aviation. Production ran from 2006 to 2008 under Eclipse Aviation before the company's 2009 bankruptcy. Approximately 260 Eclipse 500s were built. AML Global Eclipse maintains parts and service support for the existing fleet.
For value-focused owner-operators who want a twin-engine jet at piston-twin pricing, the Eclipse 500 remains uniquely positioned, with serious tradeoffs around long-term support.
Eclipse 500 Specifications at a Glance
| Specification | Value |
|---|---|
| Category | Very Light Jet (VLJ) - Legacy Production |
| Production Status | Discontinued (Eclipse Aviation bankrupt 2009) |
| Original First Flight | August 2002 |
| FAA Type Certification | September 2006 |
| Production Years | 2006 to 2008 |
| Total Built | Approximately 260 |
| Crew | 1 pilot (single-pilot certified) |
| Passengers (Standard) | 4 to 5 |
| Passengers (Max) | 5 |
| Max Range (NBAA IFR, 4 pax) | 1,125 nm (with updates) |
| Max Cruise Speed | 370 ktas |
| Long-Range Cruise | 360 ktas |
| Max Operating Altitude | 41,000 ft |
| Engines | 2× Pratt & Whitney Canada PW610F |
| Thrust per Engine | 900 lbf (1,800 lbf total) |
| Fuel Burn | 48 to 59 gph at cruise |
| Avionics | Avio NG (integrated) |
| Cabin Length | 7 ft 7 in |
| Cabin Width | 4.67 ft (56 in) |
| Cabin Height | 4.17 ft (50 in) |
| Total Baggage Volume | 16 cubic ft (internal) |
| Balanced Field Length | 2,825 ft |
| Pre-Owned Price (2025) | $1,200,000 to $1,500,000 |
History and the Eclipse Aviation Saga
The Eclipse 500 traces to the 1997 Williams V-Jet II, designed by Burt Rutan's Scaled Composites as a testbed for Williams International's FJX-2 turbofan. The V-Jet II debuted at the 1997 Oshkosh Airshow, and Eclipse Aviation was founded in 1998 to develop the concept into a production aircraft.
The Eclipse 500 timeline:
- 1998: Eclipse Aviation founded by Vern Raburn (former Microsoft executive)
- 2002: First flight
- September 2006: FAA type certification
- 2006 to 2008: Production run, approximately 260 aircraft delivered
- June 2008: FAA Emergency Airworthiness Directive following Midway runway incident
- November 2008: Eclipse Aviation Chapter 11 bankruptcy
- February 2009: Chapter 7 liquidation
- August 2009: Eclipse Aerospace purchases assets
- October 2011: Eclipse 550 announced as updated successor
- April 2015: Eclipse Aerospace merged with Kestrel Aircraft to form One Aviation
- October 2018: One Aviation Chapter 11 bankruptcy
- February 2021: Chapter 7 liquidation
- 2023: AML Global Eclipse continues fleet support
a notable operator was a major early stakeholder in Eclipse Aviation. The Eclipse 500 was the first aircraft to use friction stir welding in its construction, a process subsequently adopted by SpaceX Falcon 9 rockets.
The "Total Eclipse" and "Special Edition" Upgrades
Many Eclipse 500s were delivered before all design improvements were completed. Eclipse Aerospace introduced two retrofit programs:
- Total Eclipse (March 2010): GNSS-coupled autopilots, Flight Into Known Icing equipment, $2.25M retail
- Eclipse Special Edition (SE): Brought Eclipse 500s near to 550 standards, including dual Avio FMS, anti-skid braking, standby display unit, PPG glass windshields, improved interior
The improvements increased cruise from 360 to 370 ktas and NBAA IFR range from 1,055 to 1,125 nm.
Cabin Interior
The Eclipse 500 cabin is among the smallest in business aviation, reflecting its mission as a basic twin-engine jet rather than an executive transport.
| Cabin Measurement | Value |
|---|---|
| Cabin Length | 7 ft 7 in |
| Cabin Width | 4.67 ft (56 inches) |
| Cabin Height | 4.17 ft (50 inches) |
The cabin seats 4 to 5 occupants total, with no enclosed lavatory in most configurations.
Performance Specifications
| Performance Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Max Cruise Speed | 370 ktas |
| Fuel Burn at Cruise | 48 to 59 gph (lowest in twin jet class) |
| Range | 1,125 nm (with updates) |
| Service Ceiling | 41,000 ft |
| Balanced Field Length | 2,825 ft |
| Landing Distance | 3,920 ft |
The Eclipse 500's signature characteristic: its 48-59 gph fuel burn is roughly half that of competing VLJs and lower than many turboprops.
Engines
Two Pratt & Whitney Canada PW610F turbofans power the Eclipse 500, each producing 900 lbf of thrust (1,800 lbf total). These are the smallest production turbofan engines in business aviation.
Avionics
The Eclipse 500 uses the proprietary Avio NG (Next Generation) avionics suite, featuring:
- Full synoptic displays of all aircraft systems
- Auto-throttle (in updated variants)
- Integrated flight management
- Synthetic Vision (in 550 and Total Eclipse upgrades)
Operating Costs
| Cost Item | Per Hour |
|---|---|
| Fuel (~55 gph average) | $385 to $495 |
| Maintenance | $300 |
| Engine Reserve | $150 |
| Misc Variable | $200 |
| Total Variable Cost | ~$1,035 to $1,200/hr |
Annual operating budget at 450 hours: approximately $1.05 million all-in.
Charter Rates
Eclipse 500 charter rates run $3,500 per flight hour.
Pricing: Pre-Owned Only
| Year Range | Price Range |
|---|---|
| 2008 Eclipse 500 (with full updates) | $1,400,000 to $1,500,000 |
| 2007 Eclipse 500 | $1,200,000 to $1,400,000 |
| 2006 Eclipse 500 (early production) | $1,000,000 to $1,200,000 |
Mission Profile: Who Should Buy an Eclipse 500?
Best fit:
- Lowest entry into twin-engine jet ownership: Among the most-affordable certified jets
- Owner-pilots prioritizing fuel economy: 48-59 gph is unmatched in twin jet class
- Short regional missions: 1,125 nm range
- Buyers accepting platform support uncertainty: AML Global Eclipse maintains the fleet
Less suited if:
- You need transcontinental range
- You require enclosed lavatory and executive cabin
- You want manufacturer-direct factory support (Eclipse Aviation defunct)
- You carry more than 4 passengers regularly
Pros and Cons
What the Eclipse 500 Does Well
- Lowest acquisition cost of any certified twin-engine jet
- Industry-leading fuel economy (48-59 gph)
- Single-pilot certified
- Innovative friction stir welding construction
- AML Global Eclipse provides ongoing fleet support
Tradeoffs to Understand
- Manufacturer (Eclipse Aviation) bankrupt; successor companies also failed
- Cabin smaller than competing VLJs
- Avio NG avionics support depends on AML Global Eclipse
- Long-term parts availability is a primary acquisition consideration
- 16 cu ft baggage is minimal
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Eclipse Aviation still in business?
No. Eclipse Aviation entered Chapter 7 liquidation in February 2009. Eclipse Aerospace (later One Aviation) acquired the assets but also entered bankruptcy. AML Global Eclipse currently provides parts and service support for the existing fleet under the Eclipse Aerospace name.
How far can an Eclipse 500 fly?
The Eclipse 500 with all updates has a range of approximately 1,125 nautical miles. Pre-update aircraft were rated at 1,055 nm.
How many passengers does the Eclipse 500 carry?
The Eclipse 500 is a six-seat jet (one pilot plus up to five passengers).
Is the Eclipse 500 single-pilot certified?
Yes. The Eclipse 500 is certified for single-pilot operation.
What is the difference between Eclipse 500 and Eclipse 550?
The Eclipse 550 (2013-2017) is essentially the Eclipse 500 with improved Avio NG avionics including autothrottle, synthetic vision, anti-skid brakes, and enhanced vision systems. Both share the same airframe and PW610F engines.
What was the Total Eclipse upgrade?
Total Eclipse was a refurbishment program (introduced March 2010) bringing early Eclipse 500s up to current standards including GNSS-coupled autopilot and Flight Into Known Icing equipment.
The Bottom Line
The Eclipse 500 is the most controversial and ambitious VLJ ever built. At under $1.5 million pre-owned, it remains uniquely affordable among twin-engine jets with industry-leading fuel economy. The tradeoffs are real: manufacturer bankruptcy, smaller cabin than competitors, and ongoing support uncertainty. For value-focused operators willing to accept those tradeoffs, the Eclipse 500 has a place in the market that no other aircraft fills.
Quantum Jets supports the platform across private jet charter, private jet rental, private jet card programs, aircraft purchase, jet purchase, jet sales, aircraft sales, aircraft management, jet management, private jet management, aircraft maintenance, aircraft refurbishment, fractional jet access, aircraft lease, and aircraft leasing structures.
Talk to a Quantum Jets broker for Eclipse 500 market intelligence, pre-buy diligence with attention to update status and engine program enrollment.
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Book a Eclipse 500 on the Quantum Jets App by AVIA Technologies
The Quantum Jets mobile app, built by AVIA Technologies, is the private jet charter marketplace app for the Eclipse 500 and the rest of the Quantum Jets catalog. The Quantum Jets app is available as an iOS app on the Apple App Store and as an Android app on Google Play. Whether the goal is a one-off jet charter, recurring private jet rental, a private jet card program, or a deeper engagement spanning aircraft purchase, jet purchase, jet sales, aircraft management, jet management, private jet management, aircraft maintenance, aircraft refurbishment, fractional jet access, aircraft lease, aircraft leasing, or aircraft sales, the Quantum Jets app surfaces live Eclipse 500 availability and routes the booking through the Quantum Jets brokerage team.
AVIA Technologies is the technology platform behind the Quantum Jets mobile app. The AVIA Technologies app powers the private jet charter marketplace experience: search the catalog, compare a Eclipse 500 against alternatives in the same tier, pull live pricing, request a charter quote, schedule aircraft maintenance, list a Eclipse 500 for jet sales, manage a fleet under aircraft management or private jet management, and execute a private jet card purchase, all from one private jet app. The Quantum Jets app and the AVIA Technologies app share the same backend so client data, trip history, and aircraft preferences carry across both surfaces.
Download the Quantum Jets app on the Apple App Store (iOS app) or Google Play (Android app), then search the Eclipse 500 to start booking. The Quantum Jets mobile app is the fastest path from research to booking for any private jet, jet charter, private jet rental, or private jet charter marketplace transaction in the Quantum Jets catalog. AVIA Technologies maintains the private jet charter marketplace app on a continuous deployment schedule with new aircraft, new operators, and refined private jet management tooling shipping every release.
Eclipse 500 Services from Quantum Jets
Quantum Jets supports Eclipse 500 operators and prospective owners across the full lifecycle of private jet ownership. Whether the goal is jet charter for a one-off trip, a private jet rental for a busy season, or a private jet charter program tied to a recurring travel pattern, our team builds the right structure around the Eclipse 500 for the mission.
For buyers, our aircraft purchase and jet purchase advisory walks through inspection, valuation, financing, and closing. Jet sales and aircraft sales clients work with our team to position the Eclipse 500 for the strongest possible exit, with market intelligence on every comparable transaction. A private jet card program through Quantum Jets is a lower-commitment way to access Eclipse 500-class lift without a full aircraft purchase, and is structured to credit toward a future jet purchase when the time is right.
Once an aircraft is in hand, aircraft management and jet management at Quantum Jets cover crew, scheduling, regulatory compliance, charter revenue programs, and detailed reporting. Private jet management is structured to keep the Eclipse 500 flying safely and profitably with minimum owner overhead. Aircraft maintenance is coordinated through manufacturer-authorized service centers, and aircraft refurbishment programs (interior, paint, avionics, connectivity) are managed end-to-end so the Eclipse 500 retains residual value over its operating life.
Fractional jet programs are available for Eclipse 500-class travelers who want guaranteed access without sole ownership. Aircraft lease and aircraft leasing arrangements (operating, finance, dry, wet) are structured to match the operator's hours, geography, and balance sheet. The Eclipse 500 fits naturally into all of these structures, and Quantum Jets handles the structuring, documentation, and lifecycle service so the owner can focus on flying.
If you are evaluating a Eclipse 500 for purchase, charter, lease, fractional access, management, refurbishment, or sale, talk to a Quantum Jets broker for a custom market scan and pre-buy diligence.
Related Aircraft Guides:
- Eclipse 550: Updated Successor Variant
- Cirrus Vision Jet G2+: Current-Production Single-Engine Alternative
- Citation Mustang: Legacy VLJ Competitor
Specifications and pricing accurate as of 2026. Production of the Eclipse 500 ended in 2008; Eclipse Aviation entered bankruptcy in 2009. All acquisitions are pre-owned. AML Global Eclipse maintains fleet support.