First Eclipse Charter Flight Takes Off

Charter/management company North American Jet (NAJ) flew the first revenue passenger flight in an Eclipse 500 VLJ on August 17. The trip originated at the company’s base at Chicago Executive Airport (formerly Palwaukee), carrying two pilots and two passengers to Martin State Airport in Baltimore, at 33,000 feet in Eclipse 500 S/N 18, according to NAJ president Ken Ross. Passenger response has been enthusiastic, Ross reported, adding that the Eclipse has been described as “roomy and comfortable.” The jet does not have GPS or moving-map capability while NAJ awaits an Avio NG upgrade.