Eclipse 500

The Eclipse 500 is a very light jet, smaller than most aircraft of its class. Two Pratt & Whitney Canada PW610F turbofans sit on the rear fuselage, and the type is certified for instrument flight with a single pilot. Behind the cockpit there are four leather seats, and when only one pilot flies, a fifth passenger can take the right-hand cockpit seat.

Cabin: four seats and no toilet

According to the manufacturer, the Eclipse 500 cabin is 3.76 m long including the cockpit, 1.42 m wide and 1.27 m high. The four leather seats usually face each other in a club layout. Once seated, adults have enough room, but getting in means walking bent over.

Baggage: one small hold at the rear

The hold in the rear fuselage is loaded from outside. Weight matters more than volume: every extra passenger means less fuel, so the operator asks for the rough weight of the bags.

What usually fits:

• two or three medium suitcases, or a few soft bags;
• skis and golf bags in long covers only in exceptional cases, so give their number and length with the request.

Speed, range and small airports

The manufacturer gives 2,084 km for four people on board, the pilot and three passengers, with NBAA IFR reserves and an alternate 185 km away. With every seat taken the range drops noticeably, so for two or three passengers we plan non-stop legs of up to 1,500 km and shorter ones with a full cabin.

A short take-off run opens small airfields:

• Cannes-Mandelieu (1,539 m) is well within the jet's take-off and landing distances.
• Sion (2,000 m) and Samedan, about 1,700 m above sea level, need a crew trained for the mountain approach, and at Samedan the take-off weight is limited on warm days.
• The 537 m sloped altiport at Courchevel is too short for the type and needs a special qualification; the jet lands at Chambéry instead.

Some operators always send two pilots although the Eclipse 500 is certified for one, and then four seats remain for passengers. The Eclipse 550 has the same cabin and hold but newer avionics, and many 500s have been upgraded to a similar standard.

What matters in Europe

Eclipse 500 flights from European hubs

The table lists 31 one-way flights from all thirteen hubs. Prices are for the whole aircraft with crew, without airport fees and passenger taxes; flight time is the great-circle distance plus taxi, climb and approach.

Up to two hours: where the jet makes most sense

Two hours and more: near the limit without a toilet

• London to Nice (2:15 h), Paris to Ibiza (2:24 h) and Hamburg to Nice (2:25 h) work for two or three people with light bags; with a strong headwind the operator may plan a fuel stop.
• For Malaga, Lisbon or Greece from northern Europe, or four passengers with suitcases, the Phenom 100 or a light jet such as the Citation CJ3 fits better.

The calculator shows an indicative price for this model or another very light jet on your route.

What an Eclipse 500 charter costs

The rate starts at EUR 2,500 per flight hour for the whole aircraft, with pilot and fuel. A short leg costs well above rate times flight time: London Farnborough to Paris Le Bourget takes 1:05 h and starts at EUR 6,500, because the minimum charge and positioning weigh the same on a one-hour trip.

On longer legs these fixed costs weigh less. An Eclipse 500 from Geneva to Barcelona (1:35 h) starts at EUR 8,000, and Hamburg to Nice (2:25 h) at EUR 10,000.

The price is for the aircraft, so the share per person on London Farnborough - Nice falls with each passenger, before taxes and airport fees:

How to fly cheaper

• Return the same day, as on Paris to Geneva and back: no crew hotel and no second positioning.
• Ask for the aircraft based closest to your departure airport, and give a time window so the operator can link your flight with another trip.
• Accept a Citation Mustang or Phenom 100 at a similar hourly rate, which widens the choice nearby.

Empty Legs on this type

Empty Legs on the Eclipse 500 are rare, as few aircraft fly with European operators. Most are short summer legs between the Alps, the Riviera, Corsica and Sardinia, 30-60% below a regular charter. The date and route are fixed, and the leg can be withdrawn if the aircraft is sold for a full charter.

Send your route and a window of dates to empty-legs@jets.flights or through the Empty Legs page; we also search other very light jets.

Eclipse 500 or another very light jet

When no Eclipse 500 is free or the route is longer, clients usually get an offer for one of these aircraft.

How to request the aircraft

For a quote we need:

• route, date and departure time;
• number of passengers and the rough weight of the bags;
• pets travelling with you, with breed and weight;
• whether another very light jet is acceptable.

We look for a free Eclipse 500 within a reasonable distance with an operator holding an Air Operator Certificate (AOC), and add a jet of the same class with positioning included. Each case depends on the operator's schedule and contract. Within Schengen there is no passport control, but the operator needs passport or ID details of every passenger; EU citizens flying to the UK need an ETA.

Questions about the Eclipse 500

• • How much does an Eclipse 500 flight cost?

  • From EUR 2,500 per flight hour for the whole aircraft. Milan Linate to Rome costs from EUR 7,500 and London Farnborough to Geneva from EUR 8,500 one way, before airport fees and taxes.

• • What makes up the price?

  • Flight time with fuel, positioning from the aircraft's base, the crew's hotel on trips with an overnight stay, airport fees, passenger taxes, catering and winter de-icing.

• • How can I pay less?

  • Return the same day and let us also quote a Citation Mustang or Phenom 100 based nearby, as on a short leg positioning often costs more than the difference in rates.

• • Are there Empty Legs on the Eclipse 500?

  • Rarely, as few aircraft fly in Europe. A matching leg can be 30-60% cheaper, with a fixed date and route, so we search other very light jets at the same time.

• • How many people really fit?

  • On a short leg up to five passengers, if one pilot flies and one passenger sits next to the pilot. On legs over an hour and a half two or three people is realistic, as more weight means less fuel.

• • Is there a toilet on board?

  • No, the Eclipse 500 has none. For legs of two hours or more we suggest the Citation M2 or Phenom 100, both with an enclosed toilet.

• • How far does the Eclipse 500 fly without a stop?

  • The manufacturer gives 2,084 km with four on board, pilot included. We plan up to 1,500 km, such as Hamburg to Nice in 2:25 h for two or three people.

• • Can I take skis or golf bags?

  • Rarely. The hold has about 0.45 m³ and takes two or three medium bags; the Citation Mustang, with about 1.78 m³, suits a ski or golf trip better.

• • Can I bring my dog?

  • A small dog, yes, in the cabin once the operator agrees. The EU requires a microchip, a rabies vaccination at least 21 days before travel and a pet passport; the UK, Ireland, Malta, Finland and Norway also require tapeworm treatment 1-5 days before entry.

• • Can the Eclipse 500 land at Sion, Samedan or Courchevel?

  • Sion and Samedan yes, with a crew trained for mountain approaches and, at Samedan, a possible weight limit. The Courchevel altiport is too short, so the jet uses Chambéry or Geneva.