21 July 2016
One Aviation will launch ‘Project Canada’ at the EAA AirVenture Oshkosh next week. It’s a thoroughly upgraded version of the Eclipse 550 light jet with more power, more range and new touch-screen Garmin avionics.
“We took the world’s best personal jet and made it even better,” said One Aviation, revealing only the basics.
The new jet engines are Pratt & Whitney PW615s, similar to those used on the Eclipse’s big rival, the Cessna Mustang. On the Mustang, the PW615s are rated for 1,460lb of thrust each, a considerable amount more than on the Eclipse. They replace PW610s as fitted to the 550.
Choosing Garmin’s G3000 avionics is a departure for Eclipse which has had the lesser-known Avio glass cockpit until now. The Avio unit is full of features but not so user-friendly and clear as the Garmin displays.
No details of price have been announced for the new model, code-named ‘Project Canada’ for now. It’s likely to be more than US$3.0m as the current Eclipse 550 is $2.995m.
