Eclipse 550 Economics

Is Eclipse on the rise? It certainly seems that way as their latest models being introduced start saving consumers money before they even own one. With basic efficiencies in the manufacturing process, manufacturing hours have been greatly reduced. Eclipse also uses Friction Stir Welding instead of the traditional manufacturing process of riveting which has allowed EAI to significantly reduce (by 1600 man hours per aircraft) the build time to complete the aircraft. Fuel consumption is only 59 gallons per hour, so in reality all you purchase is just twice as much gas as a large SUV on a trip from Sacramento, CA to Charleston, SC, but you travel at 425 mph while doing so.

Efficiency seems to be the essence of the Eclipse product. Innovation is a necessary component of efficiency and it seems that Eclipse Aerospace has begun to bring the most innovative minds in aviation together to produce a jet that is less expensive to build, purchase and operate than any other twin-engine jet on the planet.

Kudos to the guys at Eclipse!