The Eclipse 500 sits at the entry point of the Orlando jet market, a twinjet built around low operating cost rather than cabin space. For two or three passengers on a short Florida or Bahamas leg it is the most economical jet we can arrange with a Part 135 operator, when one is available.
Eclipse Aviation built the 500 as a very light jet aimed at owner-pilots and small charter operations: twin Williams EJ22 engines, four to five seats and a glass cockpit. The type has a limited operator network today following Eclipse’s 2008 bankruptcy. [EXTERNAL_LINK] Every Eclipse 500 we arrange flies with an operator certificated under FAR Part 135, the FAA rules for on-demand, for-hire charter.
Performance and Cabin
- Category: Entry-Level Jet
- Manufacturer: Eclipse Aviation / Eclipse Aerospace
- Year introduced: 2006-2008
- Seating: 4 to 5
- Crew: 1 to 2
- Range: 1,125 nautical miles
- Cruise speed: 369 knots
- Service ceiling: 41,000 feet
- Length: 33.1 feet
- Wingspan: 37.9 feet
- Height: 11 feet
- Baggage volume: 16 cubic feet
Why the Eclipse 500 Fits Orlando
Charter availability is the honest constraint here rather than the aircraft. The Part 135 fleet of Eclipse 500s is thin compared with the Citation and Phenom lines, so on an Orlando departure at short notice we will often come back with a Mustang or a Phenom 100 at a similar number simply because one is on the ramp and the other is not.
Where the Eclipse does work is the short Florida regional pattern: KORL or KISM out to Fort Lauderdale, Tampa, or the northern Florida cities. At 1,125 nautical miles the range is the shortest of the jets on this site, so any leg that pushes toward the Northeast on a headwind day is worth discussing before a nonstop quote goes out.
The cabin is genuinely small and the baggage allowance reflects it. Two passengers with carry-on is the load it handles without discussion. Four passengers with bags for a weekend is a configuration question we raise with the operator before the quote is confirmed.
Gallery
Vetting Behind Every Trip
Every operator, aircraft, and crew goes through our internal due diligence before we present any options. Our internal standards meet or exceed what the FAA requires:
- FAR Part 135 charter operators for traditional private aircraft, or FAR Part 121 for airliner-size and group trips (or the foreign equivalent on international legs)
- Operator subscription to Wyvern and ARGUS reviewed where the operator participates; reports may be provided on request.
- Pilot experience and operator incident history reviewed before we recommend an aircraft.
- Fewer than 60 brokers worldwide hold Premium Wyvern Broker Member status, and Air Charter Advisors is one of them.
Charter Pricing Reference
Industry hourly rates for the Eclipse 500 run $2,500 to $3,500 per hour as of 8/2026. Actual quotes vary by operator, routing, positioning, and date.
Other Entry-Level Jets Available
The full entry-level jets category page lists every entry-level jet we arrange for Orlando departures.
Contact
For a quote on a Eclipse 500 charter in or out of Orlando, call +1 (888) 987-5387 or head to our contact page. For the vetting work behind every trip, see our safety page. To browse cross-category options for the same trip, visit the aircraft directory.
The hourly rates provided are estimates based on 2026 market data and are for informational purposes only. These figures are subject to change and do not constitute a final offer. Final pricing is dynamic and depends on real-time factors including, but not limited to, specific itinerary requirements, aircraft positioning (“ferry” fees), fuel price volatility, and current market availability. These estimates exclude all applicable taxes, de-icing, landing and handling fees, special event fees, international surcharges, overnight crew expenses, and premium catering. Please contact Air Charter Advisors directly for a firm, all-inclusive quote tailored to your specific travel needs.