Eclipse 500/550

Prerequisites for Initial Type Rating Training

Before a pilot can begin Norton Aviation’s Eclipse Initial Type Rating Training Program, the pilot must hold a minimum of a Private Pilot certificate single engine airplane with instrument rating or foreign license equivalent. Please call us if you do not hold the minimum ratings.  The following three prerequisites must be accomplished or proof of exemption must be provided before a pilot can begin the ground and flight training;

Jet Pilot Transition

“All-in-One” Kit – $482 (Previous Type Rated jet pilots are exempt)

This online course is done at home on your own schedule and is actually five courses in one. The courses are designed to provide a pilot who is transitioning to a jet for the first time and covers topics such as jet engines, high altitude aerodynamics and weather, hypoxia and use of oxygen , jet regulations, RVSM operations, on-board weather radar techniques, and on-board Terrain Awareness and Warning Systems (TAWS) operation. This course also serves as the mandatory ground training for pilots to receive their high altitude endorsement and RVSM operations training certificate.

Pilots previously Type Rated in any turbine powered aircraft can be exempt from this course, but may still need to complete an RVSM training course if not qualified previously.

Flight Skills Assessment (FSA)

$1,200 plus expenses (proof of IFR currency exempts pilot)

The FSA is a one (1) day ground training and flight in any IFR equipped aircraft of your choice and is designed to not only update your IFR currency, but give you (and us) a better understanding of how long it will take to complete your type rating training. The FSA concentrates on reviewing the basic instrument procedures and skills that will be crucial to the success in your type rating training. The FSA can be scheduled to be the first day prior to the start of your type rating training or anytime prior.

Pilots who can show proof of an Instrument Proficiency Check (IPC) within the last six months or pilots who can show proof of 5 hours IFR plus 10 approaches flown in the last 90 days may be exempt from the FSA.

At-Home Study Program on the Eclipse 500/550

Included (no exemptions)

The at-home study program consists of a well-organized workbook that guides you through your Eclipse 500/550 Airplane Flight Manual (AFM) and Norton Aviation’s Standard Operating Practices (SOP) manual. The workbook facilitates your reading comprehension and systems knowledge that will prepare you for your FAA oral exam. All of the information gained through the workbook study will be reinforced in the one-on-one classroom training at the start of your type rating or recurrent training.

Prerequisites for Recurrent Training Program

The only prerequisite for the recurrent training is to complete Norton Aviation’s At-Home Study workbook which will be emailed to you upon scheduling your training dates.

Eclipse 500/550 Type Rating Ground & Flight Training

Single-Pilot and Two-Pilot

$14,900 plus expenses 

The core type rating ground and flight training is normally accomplished in 10 consecutive days. The program is designed to give an experienced jet pilot the FAA minimum required training (7 flights and 16 hours) in order to be recommended to take the FAA Type Rating checkride. Pilots transitioning to their first jet type rating or pilots needing a little more practice may need Extra Training Days in order to demonstrate the skills in accordance with the ATP / Type Rating Practical Test Standards (PTS). This is where Norton Aviation’s experienced instructors are of great value. We have type rated more first-time jet pilots than any other training provider. We efficiently train pilots of all ages, from professional to private.

Norton Aviation’s program is tailored to fit your needs and can be performed in your aircraft at the location of your choice.  We can complete your training in an appropriate time frame at a pace that best fits your needs.  Our goal is to make you feel confident, comfortable and safe in the Eclipse 500/550.

Eclipse 500/550 Second-In-Command Type Rating Training

$1500 plus expenses (one day)

Norton Aviation can provide you with an Eclipse Second-in-Command endorsement or type rating. The only requirement is to hold a private pilot certificate with a multi engine rating and receive the training. If you plan to fly under IFR then you will also need your instrument rating. The program consists of at-home study, one to three days days of classroom and cockpit instruction, and a minimum of one flight. The program and price can be tailored to fit your needs and desires and is a great way for any private pilot to start building flight time and experience in the Eclipse 500/550.

Emergency Situations Training & Upset Recovery

$1,500 to $7,000 (one to two days)

Call us for a training provider near you

Norton Aviation has partnered with several aerobatic and upset recovery schools across the country and abroad in order to make this Eclipse 500/550 FAA-required training logistically easier for our customers. The training partners we have identified are experienced aerobatic and upset recovery instructors in aerobatic aircraft from a Super Decathlon to L-39 jets. Each training provider has been given the FAA-approved Norton Aviation upset recovery Syllabus and will tailor their program to give you the training required per the FAA’s Advisory Circular 61-137b for the Eclipse 500/550’s requirements. Understanding that aerobatics are not often practiced or even performed by most pilots, the training is also tailored to your physiological limits so that the training will be a positive and learning experience.

The training is designed to give you an educated look into the dynamic flight environment that one may get into flying this very light jet, and to actually practice the recovery techniques in an aerobatic aircraft to get out of an unusual attitude safely. We encourage all of our customers to get the most out of this once-in-a-lifetime training opportunity and select a training provider that fits within your desires and budget. The price and length of the course may vary based on training provider and the aircraft used. Give us a call for a list of possible training providers nearest you.

Eclipse 500/550 Mentoring Program

$1,200 per day plus expenses

Following the successful completion of your FAA type rating checkride, you will be required by the FAA to accomplish mentoring in your Eclipse 500/550. Norton Aviation’s mentor program is a safe and comfortable way to transition from the focused type rating training environment to real world flying. The program is designed to let you experience your Eclipse the way you will fly in the future. This fun and non-threatening training environment gives you the skills and confidence to fly safely into any airspace, any time of the day.  It will give you an appreciation of what your Eclipse can really do at altitude in and out of all kinds of airfields.

Norton Aviation’s mentor pilots have been flying their entire lives and can teach you the professional’s tricks of the trade with skills like flight planning, fuel planning, weather avoidance, long range procedures, FBO procedures, international procedures (if desired), RVSM operations, short field operations, and busy Class B airspace arrivals and departures.

The length of mentoring is determined by your previous experience and is event based rather than hourly based. Depending on your pilot experience and number of flights you desire to fly each day, mentoring can take anywhere from one (1) to seven (7) days. The destinations are flexible where you and your mentor pilot will work out a schedule based on your event list, schedule, and preferences. If your mentor pilot will need to travel on a non-mentoring day (i.e before or after mentoring), there is a $700 travel day fee for each day of travel.

We have found initially some pilots are reluctant believing in the benefits of mentoring, but once accomplished, they are extremely satisfied and end up continuing a collaborative relationship with their mentor pilot. Our mentor pilots are a great resource and just a phone call away to answer questions or just to tell a good story to a fellow aviator years after you earn your type rating.

Pilots that have been previously type rated in a turbine powered airplane equipped with a glass cockpit as a single pilot may be exempted from the Mentoring program.

Eclipse 500/550 Annual Recurrent Training Program & 61.58 FAA Check Ride

$4,400 plus expenses 

Norton Aviation’s FAA and insurance approved recurrent training program stems from our vast collective experience flying the Eclipse. Our program will bring you up to date on your systems knowledge, instrument skills, and you will learn more about your Eclipse than you ever imagined.  By building on what you already know, we will dive deeper into how the Eclipse 500/550 operates in addition to the pluses and minuses of its extensive computer architecture.

Although the FAA approved program reviews some maneuvers you may rarely do in normal daily flying, we allow you to tailor the training to more specific needs and desires. Specific examples include short field practice,  AVIO NG, 1.7 with FIKI, the IFMS, busy airspace, using your Garmin equipment (if equipped), plus maximizing use of your iPad inflight.

The training is performed at your location, on your schedule.   You incur a travel day or two at $700 per day domestic travel ($1100 -International) for the instructor to get to your location.  Besides the Eclipse recurrent requirement, the instructor will be able to endorse you for an Instrument Proficiency Check (IPC) if you desire. We provide your required FAR part 61.58 FAA Proficiency Check using our on-staff Designated Pilot Examiners (DPE) and Pilot Proficiency Examiners (PPE) who will also be your instructor for your recurrent training.

Norton Aviation’s two day Recurrent training program consists of:

Day One:

(usually 7 to 8 hours)

4 Hours of classroom instruction including topics on Aircraft Systems, Seasonal and Safety Issues, Common Fleet Issues, and techniques for using your avionics in your Eclipse.

Flight briefing followed by an approximate two (2) hour training flight reviewing instrument skills, unusual systems operations, Garmin operations (if equipped), FIKI, IFMS, and the pilot’s training preferences.

Day Two:

(usually 3 to 4 hours)

A flight briefing followed by a training flight practicing an in-flight abnormal scenario. The scenario is designed with no right or wrong answer, but to explore the possibilities of aeronautical decision-making techniques. You will get to make in-flight decisions and play them out to logical conclusions where the QRH checklist may or may not be of help. Your 61.58 PIC proficiency check will finish off the flying on the second day.

Eclipse 500/550 Additional Training Days

$1,200 per day plus expenses

The Eclipse 500/550 is a very easy and enjoyable airplane to fly from one airfield to another, but it can be a challenging jet to fly to the FAA Practical Test Standards (PTS) during the marathon-like profile for an Eclipse single pilot type rating. Because of this, some pilots, from high experience to low experience, may need additional training days beyond the FAA minimum flight syllabus (7 flights and 16 hours) in order to demonstrate the skills necessary to pass the FAA check ride. We have found that there is no direct relationship between a pilot’s total hour experience and additional training needed. It really varies by the quality and consistency of flying the pilot has experienced and types of aircraft flown. Practically speaking, your instructor must observe you demonstrate the ability to pass your checkride before you are recommended to take your FAA type rating practical test.

Norton Aviation instructors realize a lot of trust and fiscal responsibility are required upon the recommendation for the check ride.  We strive to accomplish this in the minimum amount of time at the lowest cost to the pilot.  Our priority is for each pilot we send for a check ride to pass with confidence the first time. Our first-time pass rate continues to be over 90%, with the majority of pilots needing less than 5 additional days.

Additional training days may also be used for Instrument Proficiency Check, or other specialized training.

Training programs specifically designed to be as efficient & comfortable as possible

Norton Aviation’s training programs are designed to complete training on your schedule at your location. We work with you to make training efficient and comfortable.  If you require days off that were not scheduled, there will be a modest fee of $700 per day (domestic) to cover the instructor’s down day pay.  Down days due to weather or unscheduled aircraft maintenance will normally become opportunities for a day off,  ground training with practice orals, or brushing up on weak knowledge areas.  Training at your location may require dedicated travel days for the instructor depending on commercial flight schedules.  Any travel day not in conjunction with a training day will be charged $700 (domestic) per travel day.

Budgeting for Instructor Expenses

Norton Aviation realizes that training in the aircraft can get very expensive and we will try to reduce costs to the customer as much as possible. One way we can do this is by keeping our expenses to a minimum. We use the lowest airfares, hotels, and rental cars available and we will accept any suggestions from our customers to reduce costs.

Below is a rough estimate from our experience as to the range of instructor expenses. Realize that these costs can vary widely depending on location of training.

Air Transportation:

$600 to $800 Round trip

Ground Transportation (Rental Car):

$30 to $50 per day

Lodging:

$90 to $150 per night

Meals:

$35 to $75 per day

For a two day recurrent the total expenses would average – $1,200

For the minimum 10 day Type Rating training program the average total expenses – $2,500