View Full Version : Eclipse v Mustang - a comparison
jimbob69
30th Oct 2006, 10:09
Morning all.
Can someone offer impartial advice or point me in the direction of an impartial comparison between these two aircraft?
Cheers
jimbob
scooter boy
30th Oct 2006, 10:37
Try this link to burst the eclipse hype bubble.
http://eclipseaviationcritic.********.com/
I have no axe to grind either way but wanted to get an honest appraisal of cons as well as pros prior to putting a deposit down (on an Eclipse).
Have decided to watch and wait until the first few customer deliveries have proven their worth and shown up any snags.
The Business and Commercial Aviation purchase planning guide also gives a comparison of figures (released to them by the manufacturers).
Both look like great aircraft though - the bottom line at the moment seems that the Mustang is a lot more expensive but probably a lot more shaken down than the Eclipse.
Time will tell.
SB
I don't think anyone's going to get their fingers burned (in the financial sense) buying a Citation......
I like Citations too and agree. I think it will have better residuals than the Eclipse but this must be evaluated carefully against the extra cost of the asset, that's a comparitively huge chunk of change especially as a proportion of the prices involved and must colour a buyers judgement.
Dimbleby
5th Nov 2006, 13:14
The problem old boy is that one has posed the wrong question.
Is should be Mustang, Eclipse or TBM 850.
Ceratinly the TBM will go (much) further, carry substantially more, have half the operating costs, none of the teething problems of a new type and will be less demanding to fly. Admittedly more expensive initially than the Eclipse.
At 320 TAS (318 with the wx radar) its only a few knots shorther than the others - provided the eclipse et al will be allowed over the long term to FL 350+, and there is a huge question mark over that.
scooter boy
5th Nov 2006, 21:03
The TBM 850 is a beautiful aircraft but far more expensive than the eclipse (you could have 2 eclipses for 1 TBM 850).
Also AFAIK the svc ceiling for the TBM is FL310 - 10000 ft lower than the eclipse and mustang FL410 - might mean a bumpier ride from time to time.
Once the eclipse fleet has seen some service it will be interesting to make a more educated comparison of performance between these types.
I think we are all in the dark about the reality of the eclipse's performance and as has previously been stated there are still some issues to be ironed out.
SB
nouseforaname
6th Nov 2006, 15:52
Eclipse might be expensive but my biggest question mark would be product support. Trust me if you have something that no one knows about and it goes wrong your up the creek. Plus if you are in the UK the engineering companies will ride you all the way to the bank! (They caught me once but they won't do it again)
It also depends what you want it for, If its for public transport, you're saddled with an EU registration. I will be amazed if the Eclipse doesnt get a EASA type certificate in the end as its already a popular type in terms of the order book but until then its a one horse race (or two if this is now an Eclipse/TBM/Mustang thread!)