Aircraft
Eclipse 500 makes MEBA debut
Overshadowed by far larger jets in the static display, the Eclipse 500 very light jet (VLJ) is being shown for the first time at the MEBA show, courtesy of

Overshadowed by far larger jets in the static display, the Eclipse 500 very light jet (VLJ) is being shown for the first time at the MEBA show, courtesy of Dubai-based Palm Aviation and MyJet Turkey. The entry-level jet will be staying here in Dubai to make flight demonstrations after the three-day event.

But even before MEBA visitors on the opening day got as far as the diminutive twinjet in the static display, the news that Eclipse Aviation’s financial woes had deepened suggested that this debut display could be its last. Reports on Thursday that the company could not afford to pay their employees’ wage bill of some $2.5 million came on top of a report that it has fallen two months behind on lease payments for its space at Albuquerque’s Sunport facility.