Eclipse Aviation has announced optional equipment offerings for the Eclipse 500 very light jet that enables customers to equip their aircraft to their specific operational needs.

“Most general aviation manufacturers offer decades-old airframe designs, with an unfailing increase in price each year,” said Vern Raburn, president and ceo of Eclipse. “We are taking a page from the computer industry, where customers demand consistent increases in functionality at a lower cost.

“Our standard Eclipse 500 aircraft changes the value proposition by offering impressive performance and an extensive set of features for $1.175 million. Today’s announcement builds on this foundation by adding high-quality, appropriately priced options that allow customers to tailor their aircraft to their needs.”

The standard Eclipse 500 comes with features which include autothrottle, a two-zone vapour cycle air conditioning system and a third EFIS display.

The standard aircraft is also fully IFR capable, approved for flight into known icing and group-certified for reduced vertical separation minimum (RVSM) requirements.