As with all flight decks in aircraft, the main area of interest is in the avionics system located inside the cockpit. The Eclipse 550 cockpit has the AVIO Integrated Flight Management System (IFMS) avionics system that is built by Innovative Solutions and Support (IS&S). It is based on the previous AVIO avionics that the Eclipse 500 has. Inside the Eclipse 550 cockpit are two primary flight displays (PFD) and one multifunction display (MFD) that is in the middle of the two PFDs. The Eclipse 550's avionics system is one of the more advanced systems that are available for jets in it's price range. The Eclipse very light jet has auto throttles and enhanced vision available in the cockpit. These features are not found in other aircraft that compete with the jet. Eclipse and IS&S have marketed that the new avionics system has greater redundancy and provides higher safety at a lower cost, then the previous jet. Eclipse Aerospace is also making most of these improvements in avionics available for current Eclipse 500s.

The Eclipse 550 flight deck layout is almost the same as the Eclipse 500. Most controls are located in the same place as the previous version of the airplane. The Eclipse 550 has side sick controls (no yoke) and a small center counsel with throttles and flap levers. Compared to the 500, the 550 has more electrical outlets located in the cockpit.

You can watch videos and see more of the Eclipse 550's cockpit on our video page.

Eclipse 550 Cockpit Flight Deck Photo

Above Eclipse 550 cockpit photo (actually a Total Eclipse 500 with AVIO IFMS) modified by FlyRadius, originally by Jetrequest.com on Wikimedia Commons. Photo (only) released under a Creative Commons License.

Eclipse 550 Cockpit Flight Deck Small Photo

Above photo of the Eclipse 550 flight deck by Innovative Solutions & Support. Copyright IS&S, photo used under the fair use provision.

Below is more information on the features of the AVIO IFMS system located in the Eclipse 550 jet's cockpit.

  • Low risk proven system
  • Superior Readability
  • Increased In-Service Capability
  • Lightweight with Low Power Usage
  • Capable of Future Requirements
  • Part 25 Safety at Part 23 Cost
  • Coupled WAAS/LPV Approaches
  • Full RNP compliance to DO-236B with 0.1 nautical mile precision
  • Required Time of Arrival (4 Dimension trajectory to each waypoint)
  • Fully coupled Flight Profile Performance Based VNAV
  • Autothrottle Controls
  • Dual Flight Management System with Synthetic DME capability
  • Dual IS&S Beta 3 GPS Receivers
  • Airport Diagrams and Approach
  • Moving Maps with Overlay of the following: Flight Plan, Airspaces, Airways (both High and Low), Runway Depictions, Navigation Aids, Intersections.
  • XM satellite weather supports all available weather services.
  • Electronic Checklists
  • Display and Control of Enhanced Vision System
  • High Resolution Displays and faster microprocessors (11 processors) when compared to previous Eclipse 500 jets.
  • Class 3 Electronic Charts - Electronic Jeppesen Charts
  • XM Satellite Weather
  • Dual WASS / SBAS Beta-3 GPS receivers.
  • ADS-B Out (Automatic Dependent Surveillance – Broadcast, for the NextGen air traffic control system capable)
  • Software Composite Mode – Changes the primary flight display to show critical data that is usually displayed on the MFD. Used in case of a power of MFD failure. The Eclipse 550 can be flown with only one operational primary flight display.
  • Standby Display Unit – Moved from the multifunction display to a separate display located on the side.
  • Integrated Autopilot, Coupled Guidance - autopilot is connected with the navigation system and can fly coupled approaches to 150 feet AGL (above ground level).

Optional Equipment:

  • Auto Throttles
  • Terrain Avoidance Warning System (TAWS) – Visual and audio warnings for terrain and man-made obstacles.
  • Traffic Alerting System (TAS)
  • Synthetic Vision on Displays – gives a 3D graphical view of terrain on the PFD.
  • Enhanced Vision – Infrared camera is mounted outside the Eclipse 550 and video is displayed in the cockpit on the MFD or on the PFD when in emergency mode. Provides greater visibility in low visibility conditions.
  • Stormscope – Detects lightning
  • Color Radar – Sweeping radar that can be pitched down and up. Information is displayed on the PFD.
  • Radar Altimeter – measures distance between the jet and the terrain below.
  • ADF (Automatic Direction Finder)
  • DME (Distance Measuring Equipment)
  • Skywatch – Traffic alert system
  • Iridium Satellite Phone
  • Part 135 Package – provides required items for Federal Aviation Administration part 135 operations. Includes a third Attitude Heading Reference System (AHRS), additional oxygen mask for the co-pilot side and an improved 40 cubic foot oxygen bottle.

The Eclipse 550 cockpit – flight deck may also be called the EA-50 cockpit – flight deck or the EA-500 cockpit or flight deck.