Don, I suggest you not base your choice on this but, there have been no Eclipse crashes. Saw it posted on Beechtalk a week or so ago.

This question on viability of the company is really the most important question and the main reason that I'm looking for non-biased feedback here. My previous impression of the company (prior ownership) was that they were taking full advantage of their monopoly position and really turned the screws on the owners. In the past year, they've opened maintenance up to other 3rd party shops, extended the life limits on the older models and created STCs for all models which provide avionics and ADB-B upgrades for most of the fleet. My understanding is that these options were simply not available or reasonable a few years ago.

It seems like a lot of positive progress but I still question the long term viability of the company. The question is, could the fleet continue to be maintained if ONE should fail? My guess is probably not but I truly don't have enough information. Also, what are the chances that ONE will make it? Again, I don't pretend to know the first thing about their viability.

Clearly the Meridian is the safer choice as Piper seems to be standing firmly on their two feet these days.

That's pretty much a rock bottom plane. No FIKI, no coupled AP, and all sorts of potential Maintenace issues. Screwy little planes. But I could care less about coupled AP's. FIKI? Well perhaps a problem; perhaps not. Some STC's appear to be working on that. Same with the windows.

We were beset with the same question. We looked at the Eclipse carefully but the thought of risking a million plus on a plane that might just become a large and rather useless paperweight just made the decision for us. A million is a lot to risk on such a decision.

We considered a lot of other airplanes but in the end, the G1000 Meridian fit the mission and had the best value. Piper is now discussing offering an upgrade to the G1000 to the NXi for about $60k in parts (talk is 20 hours labor), and other upgrades that seem to have been lacking before. Another benefit of the PA46T is that it can be flown under basic med. Try that with an Eclipse.

Unfortunately, just finding a G1000 PA46T is going to be a problem unless you want to buy a 2014+. There just are none for sale. Tells you something.

If any plane is ripe for exclusive dry lease rather than ownership, it's eclipse. Make offers til somebody bites - the deal you get will be useful market information in and of itself.

This question on viability of the company is really the most important question and the main reason that I'm looking for non-biased feedback here. My previous impression of the company (prior ownership) was that they were taking full advantage of their monopoly position and really turned the screws on the owners. In the past year, they've opened maintenance up to other 3rd party shops, extended the life limits on the older models and created STCs for all models which provide avionics and ADB-B upgrades for most of the fleet. My understanding is that these options were simply not available or reasonable a few years ago.

It seems like a lot of positive progress but I still question the long term viability of the company. The question is, could the fleet continue to be maintained if ONE should fail? My guess is probably not but I truly don't have enough information. Also, what are the chances that ONE will make it? Again, I don't pretend to know the first thing about their viability.

Clearly the Meridian is the safer choice as Piper seems to be standing firmly on their two feet these days.

Because there are none flying. Planes don't crash sitting in the hangar.

I'm not bashing the Eclipse as I do like them but cmon..... There aren't and never were many in use compared to the other planes discussed in this thread.

Can't do this in any Tprop

Louie agrees especially upside down

Piaggio avanti

Because there are none flying. Planes don't crash sitting in the hangar.

I'm not bashing the Eclipse as I do like them but cmon..... There aren't and never were many in use compared to the other planes discussed in this thread.

There was an Eclipse fatal in South Africa. Being investigated with thoughts of hypoxia or pilot incapacitation. Guy was only 57, a little young for incapacitation, but possible.

http://www.ainonline.com/aviation-news/business-aviation/2015-12-10/first-fatal-accident-eclipse-bizjet-reported

Low numbers, too little to have statistical power, but similar number of Piper Matrix's built as EA50's, no US fatals, more than twice as many G1000 Mirage and Meridians built, no fatals. They are all safe aircraft though. I would worry less about the plane than the pilot.

I think Vref in an Eclipse is about 85knots. That's a big reason for its safety. And jet turbine training.

Also. Presently on flightaware there are 16 Meridians flying compared to 6 Eclipse. Just as a comparison there are only 2 crappy Falcon 50's listed.

Come now, that's the perfect age to rupture an LAD plaque

Tomorrow on Flightaware there will be 70+ PC12's flying at any given time during the day compared to 2 or 3 Eclipses. You're comparing Apples and Oranges.

Planes don't crash sitting on the ramp.

Right now:

71 PC12
5 Eclipse