A glimpse into the future of aviation landed at Palwaukee Municipal Airport in May as Eclipse Aviation brought its very light jet to show off to the public.

The twin-engine Eclipse 500 was arranged to carry three passengers, a pilot and a co-pilot. Airport officials expect to see many very light jets use Palwaukee in the near future, as the planes can use any runway on the airport and offer an affordable option to anyone seeking the speed, convenience and reliability of jet-powered aviation.

Matt Brown, aircraft sales manager for Eclipse, said the plane is touring the country so pilots can take a look at the new technology.

"We're here to show the airplane to people and to sell aircraft," he said. "Palwaukee is a great example of an individual organization that could see a lot of these planes."

Visitors stood in line for more than a half hour just to climb into the Eclipse 500. The plane was parked in the hangar of Trajen Flight Support, formerly North American Jet, where crowds lined up to take a peek at the new plane, climb into the aircraft, ask questions and even put a down payment on the $1.3 million jet.

Hal McIntosh, a flight instructor and corporate pilot, flew from Cincinnati to Palwaukee (which is operated by the governments of Wheeling and Prospect Heights) with his friend Mark Altemeier just to get a look at the plane. He said there may be a day when he trains pilots to fly one, or fly one himself for his clients.

"It offers speed and convenience," he said. "It's amazing what those two things will do for pilots."

Brown said the Eclipse 500 flew to Palwaukee from Reagan National Airport in Washington, D.C. in about two hours and 15 minutes. Although that is slower than a Gulfstream or larger jets, the cost of buying and operating the jet will make it appealing to many pilots.

"This plane costs about $350 an hour in operations, which includes the cost of fuel," Brown said. "A Gulfstream can cost 10 times that amount."

Those costs attracted Brian Kossof to consider buying three or four of the planes for a business he plans to start. Kossof would not disclose what kind of business he is starting, but said the aircraft's costs fit his plans.

"The price point is really attractive," he said. "When you consider the range and cost of fuel to fly it, it makes it an very interesting proposition."

Dennis Rouleau, Palwaukee manager, said he is not surprised to hear stories like Kossof's, as he believes the very light jets will attract many new people into aviation.

"Consider the expense, and the fact it flies higher and faster than (propeller aircraft)," he said. "Plus you get the reliability of a jet aircraft. Even if they see it and think it's too small, they might consider buying a (larger jet)."

Some pilots are considering trading in their older propellor planes for a new jet. A new twin-engine propellor plane can cost up to $900,000, just a little less than the Eclipse 500.

Bill Terpstra said he is awaiting delivery of an Eclipse 500 next month. Terpstra said he retired eight years ago and plans to fly the Eclipse 500 for golf trips and other vacations.

"It's a good airplane for me," he said. "It's got a pressurized cabin and I'll get the speed and convenience of a jet plane."

Terpstra will be one of the first private pilots to get his hands on the new plane. Brown, Eclipse sales manager, said the first deliveries will start in June. He expects airports like Palwaukee will regularly see the very light jets by the end of the year.

Brown said he anticipates the use of the aircraft to grow exponentially, and many more will be used by the end of 2007. The company has a backlog of 2,400 orders with the next available delivery scheduled for August 2008.

Palwaukee Chairman Kevin Dohm said he was not surprised to see the crowd the plane attracted.

"This could revolutionize air travel," he said. "This was made to be a jet for the average pilot who flies for pleasure and business."

Contact Authot: This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it

Original Article