Eclipse 500 VLJ Fractional Set To Fly

Scottsdale Ariz.-based fractional operator JetsAmerica is scheduled to take delivery of its first Eclipse 500 by the second week of March, according to company chairman and CEO Brandon Carlson. The company offers quarter-share turnkey ownership in the new very light jet. A one-quarter share will equal 200 hours of real flight time; Carlson says owners won’t be penalized for taxiing or empty positioning flights. Based on the Eclipse delivery schedule, the operator plans to have full shares in 14 jets sold by the end of the year. While the Eclipse is certified for operation by one pilot, upon customer request JetsAmerica will provide a second pilot for an additional charge. The company says it will also offer the VLJs for on-demand charter, splitting revenues with the fractional owners. Plans call for operations from Scottsdale and Houston, with a third possible base in Kalamazoo, Mich.