ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (AP) - A fleet of very light jets that could redefine how Americans travel has been fully certified by the Federal Aviation Administration, clearing the aircraft for delivery to customers, the company announced Saturday.
Eclipse Aviation spokesman Andrew Broom said 23 of the E500 aircraft are in production, in addition to two that already have rolled off the assembly line. The first delivery will be in days, he said.
Over the next few years, the Albuquerque-based company will aim to fulfill more than 2,500 orders.
The twin-engine, six-seat jet aircraft will cost about $1.5 million.
The company believes the E500 will radically change the aircraft industry, saying it costs one-third less than other small jet aircraft. The company said it will be safer and easier to operate, with the lowest cost of ownership ever in a jet aircraft.
In July, Eclipse successfully tested the first production aircraft slated for delivery to a customer. The airplane flew 1 1/2 hours and climbed to its maximum altitude of 41,000 feet.