The Eclipse 500 defined the very light jet class of aircraft.
In July 2002, the prototype rolled out of the Albuquerque, NM, facility and the first flight took place in August. Two Pratt and Whitney PW610F engines, that produce 900 pounds of thrust each, power this five-passenger light jet. The airframe is built using the revolutionary friction stir welding process. This process has previously been used in spacecraft and other applications; however, this is the first use in a civil certified aircraft. Type certification was awarded in 2006.
