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Eclipse 500 factory refresh

Eclipse 500. AOPA file photo.

ONE Aviation has announced the “factory renewed” Eclipse Special Edition, an Eclipse 500 with a three-year warranty and maintenance program, new features, five-seat configuration, and a type rating included in the $2.195 million price.

The company, formed by the merger of Eclipse Aerospace and Kestrel Aircraft announced in April and led by Cirrus Aircraft co-founder Alan Klapmeier, has updated the decade-old twinjet with anti-skid brakes, a Dual Avio Integrated Flight Management System, a premium interior and two-tone paint (customers can choose from available color schemes). Each Eclipse SE comes with a 36-month, 500-hour factory warranty, a 36-month maintenance program covering scheduled inspections, and an Eagle Service Plan from Pratt & Whitney Canada paid through the date of delivery.

“The Eclipse SE is much more than an upgraded Eclipse 500, it is a factory supported, like-new aircraft for a very reasonable price,” Klapmeier said in a June 30 news release. “Our decision to provide the SE with a 3-year Warranty and 3-year Maintenance Plan further demonstrates our goal of simplifying aircraft ownership and providing clarity, convenience, and peace of mind for our customers who own and operate an Eclipse twin-engine jet.”

The Eclipse SE offers a range of optional features, including a second type rating, avionics, and a sixth seat.

The Eclipse 500 lacked the capability of flying coupled approaches, and offered a minimalist cockpit when flown by AOPA in 2008. Other features added to the Eclipse SE include a pilot-side standby display (with an optional standby display on the copilot side), a PPG Glass windshield, electronic display of Jeppesen terminal procedures, autopilot coupled guidance, XM weather integrated on the moving map, GPS and LPV approach capability, and RVSM eligibility.

The Total Eclipse line is being discontinued.

“There are so many different configurations, options and completion levels in the TE line that it is confusing for potential customers when evaluating the value of a TE,” said ONE Aviation President Ken Ross, in the news release. “In keeping with our goal to make purchasing and owning an Eclipse simple and transparent, we have introduced the Eclipse SE with the same standard features and available options as the new Eclipse 550. This makes the buying decision much easier for potential customers.”

The Eclipse 550 offers similar performance in a factory-new jet priced at $2.995 million.

Jim Moore
Jim Moore
Managing Editor-Digital Media
Digital Media Managing Editor Jim Moore joined AOPA in 2011 and is an instrument-rated private pilot, as well as a certificated remote pilot, who enjoys competition aerobatics and flying drones.
Topics: Aviation Industry, Gear

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