Eclipse 500/550: how 75 jets are really flown
The busiest 5% made more than 9 flights a month and the quietest 5% fewer than 3: over five times as many, on the same type.
At the harder end, one Eclipse 500/550 in twenty sees a freeze and a thaw on 39% or more of its nights. At the easier end, most see almost none.
The harder end, one aircraft in twenty, is at 6,628 ft or more; the easier end at 662 ft or less.
The hardest-worked 5% log ≈168 h a year or more; the easiest-used, ≈30 h or less. The middle aircraft sits at ≈56 h.
Fatigue
What each landing and pressurization cycle costs the structure: landings per hour and short hops.
The middle Eclipse 500/550 flies 1.2 hours for every landing. One in twenty lands every 0.8 hours or sooner, the most cycles for its time.
Middle half 1.0–1.5 : 1Harder end: 5% at 0.8 : 1 or lessEasier end: 5% at 1.7 : 1 or more
Middle half 42–64%Harder end: 5% at 77% or moreEasier end: 5% at 20% or less
Middle half 190–347 nmLowest 5%: 126 nm or lessHighest 5%: 500 nm or more
Context, not graded: the tint marks the harder and easier end of the fleet.
Spread of trip lengths
All 75 Eclipse 500/550sThe data behind it
Every measure for the 75 North American Eclipse 500/550s, 1 Aug 2025 – 31 Jul 2026.| Measure | Fleet median | Middle half |
|---|---|---|
| Hours per landing Each aircraft’s average flight hours per landing | 1.2 : 1 | 1.0–1.5 : 1 |
| Short hops Share of legs under 300 nm | 54% | 42–64% |
| Leg length Median leg | 281 nm | 190–347 nm |
Corrosion
What the air around it does overnight: salt, damp and freeze–thaw.
The middle Eclipse 500/550 spends 0% of its nights within 2 km of the coast. One in twenty spends 85% or more of them there.
Middle half 0–0%Harder end: 5% at 85% or moreEasier end: 5% at -0%
Middle half 3.9–7.8 hHarder end: 5% at 12.0 h or moreEasier end: 5% at 1.4 h or less
Middle half <1–24%Harder end: 5% at 39% or moreEasier end: 5% at -0%
Context, not graded: the tint marks the harder and easier end of the fleet.
Salt air across the fleet
48 Eclipse 500/550sThe data behind it
Every measure for the 48 of the 75 North American Eclipse 500/550s with enough nights at known fields, 1 Aug 2025 – 31 Jul 2026 (2 on their record since 1 Jan 2025: too few in the 12 months).| Measure | Fleet median | Middle half |
|---|---|---|
| Salt air Nights within 2 km of the coast | 0% | 0–0% |
| Near the coast Nights within 10 km of the coast | 1% | 0–17% |
| Damp air Hours a day at 80% humidity or more, above freezing | 5.5 h | 3.9–7.8 h |
| Freeze–thaw Nights that froze and thawed within the day | 7% | <1–24% |
| Moisture in the air Average absolute humidity overnight | 7.6 g/m³ | 5.8–9.0 g/m³ |
Engines and brakes
What departures ask of engines, brakes and tires: heat and height, and runway length.
The middle Eclipse 500/550 leaves from a short runway on 0% of its departures. One in twenty does on 4% or more.
Middle half 0–0%Harder end: 5% at 4% or moreEasier end: 5% at -0%
Middle half 0–17%Harder end: 5% at 66% or moreEasier end: 5% at -0%
Middle half 1,272–2,386 ftHarder end: 5% at 6,628 ft or moreEasier end: 5% at 662 ft or less
Context, not graded: the tint marks the harder and easier end of the fleet.
Runway margin at departure
3,148 departuresThe data behind it
Every measure for the 75 North American Eclipse 500/550s, 1 Aug 2025 – 31 Jul 2026.| Measure | Fleet median | Middle half |
|---|---|---|
| Short runways Departures where the longest runway was under 1.25× the takeoff distance | 0% | 0–0% |
| Hot, high takeoffs Departures at 5,000 ft density altitude or more | 5% | 0–17% |
| Density altitude Typical density altitude at takeoff | 1,715 ft | 1,272–2,386 ft |
Utilization
How steadily the fleet is used: flights, flying days and estimated hours.
The middle Eclipse 500/550 made 4 flights a month. The busiest 5% made 9 or more, the quietest 3 or fewer.
Middle half 2.8–5.2Harder end: 5% at 9.5 or moreEasier end: 5% at 2.5 or less
Middle half 2.3–3.7Harder end: 5% at 6.0 or moreEasier end: 5% at 1.9 or less
Middle half 43–81 hHarder end: 5% at ≈168 h or moreEasier end: 5% at ≈30 h or less
Context, not graded: the tint marks the harder and easier end of the fleet.
Month by month
12 monthsMedian flights per aircraft that flew that month · darker bar is the busiest month, June 2026
The data behind it
Every measure for the 75 North American Eclipse 500/550s, every active aircraft (no 40% tracking floor here: on this type it would change which aircraft are compared, not just drop undercounted ones), 1 Aug 2025 – 31 Jul 2026.| Measure | Fleet median | Middle half |
|---|---|---|
| Flights a month In the months it flew | 3.8 | 2.8–5.2 |
| Days flown a month Days with at least one flight | 2.8 | 2.3–3.7 |
| Estimated hours a year From time in the air | ≈56 h | 43–81 h |
Buying, selling or financing a Eclipse 500/550?
See where your Eclipse 500/550 sits in the fleet.
Enter a tail number to place it against these 75 aircraft. TailCheck grades it on Fatigue, Corrosion, Engines and brakes, and Utilization, with every percentile shown.
Where Eclipse 500/550s are based and fly
Colorado Springs is home to more Eclipse 500/550s than any other field, 3 of the 57 with a home base.
Bermuda Dunes–Van Nuys is the busiest route: 48 flights by 1 different aircraft.
Where Eclipse 500/550s are based
| Field | Share | Aircraft |
|---|---|---|
| Colorado Springs | 3 | |
| Hammond Northshore | 3 | |
| Thomasville | 3 | |
| John C Tune | 2 | |
| Montgomery | 2 | |
| San Carlos | 2 |
Busiest Eclipse 500/550 routes
| Between | Flights |
|---|---|
| Bermuda Dunes ⇄ Van Nuys | 48 flights |
| Nashville ⇄ Tri-Cities TN/VA | 40 |
| Hammond Northshore ⇄ Lakefront | 36 |
| Henderson ⇄ Santa Barbara | 32 |
| Camarillo ⇄ Montgomery | 25 |
| Arapahoe ⇄ Colorado Springs | 20 |
Longest Eclipse 500/550 flights
| Between | Distance · time |
|---|---|
| Arapahoe → Concord-Padgett | 1,173 nm · 3 h 09 min |
| Austin Straubel → Fort Lauderdale | 1,164 nm · 3 h 39 min |
| Montgomery → Joe Foss | 1,154 nm · 3 h 21 min |
| San Bernardino → William P Hobby | 1,148 nm · 3 h 17 min |
| Henderson → Springhill | 1,088 nm · 3 h 10 min |
Busiest Eclipse 500/550s this year
The busiest Eclipse 500/550 made 20 flights a month, five times the middle aircraft.
Even the tenth on this list made 8.
Ranked by flights a month · updated monthly
| # | Tail | Base | Flights a month | Estimated hours a year | Record |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | N268EM | Colorado Springs | 20 | 292 h | Check this tail → |
| 2 | N214MS | Nashville | 12 | 138 h | Check this tail → |
| 3 | N9922F | Phoenix-Deer Valley | 11 | 196 h | Check this tail → |
| 4 | N145EA | Colorado Springs | 10 | 158 h | Check this tail → |
| 5 | N717HD | Lakefront | 9 | 196 h | Check this tail → |
| 6 | N227UH | Phoenix-Mesa Gateway | 9 | 122 h | Check this tail → |
| 7 | N75EA | Houghton Memorial | 9 | 192 h | Check this tail → |
| 8 | N884AM | Trenton Mercer | 8 | 115 h | Check this tail → |
| 9 | N117UH | Pittsburgh | 8 | 90 h | Check this tail → |
| 10 | N727HD | Hammond Northshore | 8 | 140 h | Check this tail → |
Eclipse 500/550 vs other aircraft of its size
Medians for each North American fleet, same window and method.
| Type | Tracked | Flights a month | Hours a year | Median leg | Hours per landing | Short hops |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Eclipse 500/550 | 75 | 3.8 | 56 h | 281 nm | 1.2 : 1 | 54% |
| Cirrus Vision Jet SF50 | 461 | 4.2 | 71 h | 262 nm | 1.3 : 1 | 56% |
| Cessna Citation Mustang | 173 | 3.8 | 63 h | 290 nm | 1.3 : 1 | 52% |
| Embraer Phenom 100 | 135 | 4.5 | 67 h | 297 nm | 1.2 : 1 | 50% |
Eclipse 500 vs Eclipse 550: on paper
One page covers both models: the tracking data doesn’t tell them apart.
Certified figures come from the type certificate data sheet. We don’t have a manufacturer source for the Eclipse 500/550 yet, so its manufacturer rows show a dash.
| Measure | Eclipse 500 | Eclipse 550 | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Maximum takeoff weight (certified) | 6,000 lb | 6,000 lb | EASA TCDS EASA.IM.A.171 Issue 08, p.9 |
| Maximum ramp weight (certified) | 6,034 lb | 6,034 lb | EASA TCDS EASA.IM.A.171 Issue 08, p.9 |
| Fuel capacity, US gallons (certified) | 251 US gal | 251 US gal | EASA TCDS EASA.IM.A.171 Issue 08, p.8 |
| Passengers | Up to 5 certified | Up to 5 certified | EASA TCDS EASA.IM.A.171 Issue 08, p.10 |
| Range (manufacturer) | — | — | No manufacturer source yet |
| Takeoff distance (manufacturer) | — | — | No manufacturer source yet |
| High-speed cruise (manufacturer) | — | — | No manufacturer source yet |
| Length (manufacturer) | — | — | No manufacturer source yet |
| Wingspan (manufacturer) | — | — | No manufacturer source yet |
| Height (manufacturer) | — | — | No manufacturer source yet |
What the Eclipse 500/550’s certification file says
Regulators publish an operational evaluation for each type: how pilots must be rated and trained, and what training must stress.
Here is what the Eclipse 500/550 files say, each item with its source.
Crewing a Eclipse 500/550
| Item | What the file says |
|---|---|
| Type rating | EA50/S (single pilot) / EA50/D (two-pilot operation)ANAC OER Original, p.6 |
| Minimum crew | 1 pilotEASA TCDS EASA.IM.A.171 Issue 08, p.10 |
Sources
| Document | Revision |
|---|---|
| EASA TCDS IM.A.171 — Eclipse EA500 | EASA · Issue 08 · 19 Apr 2021 |
| ANAC Relatório de Avaliação Operacional — Eclipse EA500 | ANAC · Original |
Chartering a Eclipse 500/550
15 of the 75 North American Eclipse 500/550s we track are on our charter list (20%).
Where charter Eclipse 500/550s are based
| Field | Share | Aircraft |
|---|---|---|
| Colorado Springs | 2 | |
| Akron Fulton | 1 | |
| Boire | 1 | |
| Appleton | 1 | |
| Bangor | 1 | |
| The Eastern Iowa | 1 |
Charter status is our own list, built from FAA records and public listings of charter aircraft; aircraft flown by a fractional program (NetJets, Flexjet and the like) are counted as fractional, not charter. No charter rates: prices depend on the operator and the trip. Check a specific aircraft’s record with its tail number before you book.
Eclipse 500/550 questions
How many hours a year does a Eclipse 500/550 fly?
The median North American Eclipse 500/550 flies about 56 estimated hours a year; the middle half sits between 43 and 81. About 1 in 20 flies more than 168.
How often does a Eclipse 500/550 fly?
4 flights a month on 3 flying days at the median. About 1 in 20 makes more than 9 flights a month.
How long is a typical Eclipse 500/550 flight?
The median leg is 281 nm. About 1 in 20 aircraft average more than 500 nm a leg.
How often do Eclipse 500/550 aircraft use short runways?
At the median, 0% of departures are from fields whose longest runway is under 1.25 times the type’s takeoff distance. About 1 in 20 keep it to -0% or less.
Is a high-hours Eclipse 500/550 a bad buy?
Not by itself. High hours on long legs are gentler on the structure than the same hours on short hops. Look at hours per landing and short-hop share alongside hours.
Where are most Eclipse 500/550 aircraft based?
In North America, Colorado Springs is home to the most, followed by Hammond Northshore and Thomasville. A base is the field an aircraft touches on most of its flying days, month after month.
Cite this data
The Aircraft Ledger. “Eclipse 500/550 fleet statistics.” Data to 31 July 2026. theaircraftledger.com/aircraft/eclipse/500-550
Embed a chart
<iframe src="https://theaircraftledger.com/embed/fleet/eclipse-500-550/fatigue" title="Fatigue" width="100%" height="1180" style="border:0;max-width:960px" loading="lazy"></iframe>Method: Eclipse 500/550 aircraft with most departures in North America and at least 20 tracked flights in the latest twelve full months. Flight measures, bases, routes and rankings use ADS-B tracking 1 Aug 2025 – 31 Jul 2026; corrosion and engines-and-brakes exposure use the same twelve months, or an aircraft’s record since 1 Jan 2025 when it had too few nights or departures in them. Estimated hours from time in the air. Tracking misses some flights, so counts and hours are minimums. ADS-B coverage grew over the window, so we don’t compare one year with the last. Tracking can’t tell one variant from another; the variant split, the busiest table’s variants and the age table use the FAA registry, so they cover US-registered aircraft only. We assume the longest runway at each field, so short-runway figures are conservative. Short-runway figures use the manufacturer’s published takeoff distance where our sources hold one for every variant (the longest, where tracking can’t tell variants apart), and a reference figure otherwise. Corrosion measures cover the aircraft we can place on enough nights, some over the longer window when the twelve months had too few. Charter status is our own list, built from FAA records and public listings of charter aircraft; aircraft flown by a fractional program (NetJets, Flexjet and the like) are counted as fractional, not charter. About our data