Aircraft

Eclipse Aviation's Eclipse 500 very light jet (VLJ) is scheduled to make its European debut at Aero 2007.

The sixth test aircraft, registration N505EA is expected to touch down in Friedrichshafen this evening, kick-starting a two month demonstration tour of the continent, which will include a spell at the forthcoming European Business Aviation Convention and Exhibition (EBACE) in Geneva, Switzerland. 

Speaking at a press conference today; Eclipse Aviation's director of public relations Andrew Broom said Europe accounts for more than 100 of its 2,500 strong order book, with the majority of these owners based in the UK. 

He says:" Europe is our largest market outside North America. The market is bullish here and we expect the aircraft to sell very well."  European certification is scheduled for the fourth quarter, Broom says.

While North America has typically accounted for around 70% of the aviation market, Broom is confident that Eclipse will inverse this trend over the coming years.  "North America will always remain important but we expect our largest market to be outside this region"  he says. 

Eclipse has delivered six of the $1.52 million VLJs to date, including three to Florida, USA-based air taxi start up DayJet.

More Eclipse 500 videos ...