Albuquerque-based Eclipse Aviation introduced the first very light jet to the market, the Eclipse 500. The company hopes the jets will be able to fill a new air taxi role, and its biggest potential order has come from Florida operator DayJet. About 1,400 Eclipse 500s could be produced for DayJet, which provides on-demand jet travel. The jet seats three to five passengers. The Eclipse 500 has not been certified in Europe yet, and in the summer of 2008 came under review by the FAA, after several safety issues were raised by the union representing federal aircraft certification personnel. Subsequent upheaval at Eclipse Aviation, which has had production difficulties, saw founder Vern Raburn leave the company as a condition of new investment being made available.
