Eclipse 500 rolled out

[CitationCapt]

Looks like Vern Raburn got the Eclipse 500 rolled out on schedule. Here's some pictures.

http://www.eclipseaviation.com/progress/briefings.htm

Also, looked at previous pictures in the progress section. The engine test flew on the back of a Sabre 60 recently.

Hope they pull it off. We need some good news from any angle.

 

[flyboy321]

OskKosh

Anyone know if these guys will be at OshKosh next week? I'd love to see this plane.

 

[boscenter]

Looks like a jet-powered Piper...

 

[bigD]

Anyone get any word on estimated insurance costs for this plane? The specs look great, and I'd think anyone considering a new Baron, Malibu, or whatever will give this a serious look. But if it costs tons more per year to insure, all of a sudden those good looking operating costs won't look so good anymore.

 

[Broke in CVG]

Good for them! How many new designs do we hear about the turn out to be pipe dreams?

It's about time that we had a semi-affordable small jet.

 

[dav8or]

Looks like a jet-powered Piper...

No, it's a 4 person slow-tation

 

[Hubie]

Wonder if this thing will become the next Doctor killer…

 

[aero99]

Good for them. They still have a long road ahead of them though...

Bigd, I read a while back that the factory plans on doing pilot training for insurance purposes. The factory was requiring 1200 tt for new owner/pilots to take the course.

Don't know the answer to your question, but it is a good one. I wouldn't want to be on of the first ten owners to fight for insurance on a new aircraft!

 

[crash-proof]

I understand they already have 500 orders.... wow

And some club in switzerland already has 112 of those.
I hope it works out, that thing looks so cute!

And to think that the CEO was a major Microsofter!

No wonder, should see that cockpit. It's like, where's the good ol dials and switches???

 

[aero99]

QUOTE:"I understand they already have 500 orders.... wow"

Well, that's where it gets a little gray....



Not sure what you mean by a club having 112. This is the first one.

 

[crash-proof]

sorry meant they have 112 of those 500 orders...

 

[AeroDMB]

"Eclipse founder and CEO Vern Raburn pronounced that “Change is good. Without change there’s death. We’re entering into an industry now that has had virtually zero change for 40 years, an industry that rejects change, an industry that doesn’t understand risk and is, in fact, afraid of risk. Yet at Eclipse we embrace that risk. All I can say to our critics is ‘Watch.’ Watch as we embrace change, take risk, innovate and deliver on our commitments, schedule and budget.”

- Great comment by Vern.
So true.