The Eclipse 500, the Very Light Jet (VLJ) manufactured by Eclipse Aviation, Albuquerque, N.M., was awarded EASA certification. In addition, Avio NG 1.5, an upgraded configuration of the VLJ’s avionics suite, was awarded FAA type certification, the manufacturer said. The upgraded avionics suite includes dual Garmin GPS 400W units. “Obtaining EASA certification is one of Eclipse Aviation’s greatest accomplishments,” said Roel Pieper, Eclipse Aviation CEO. “With the additional FAA approval for Avio NG 1.5, EASA certification enhances Eclipse’s capacity to spread the global reach and impact of the Eclipse 500, and we expect many new orders from all over Europe, Russia and Turkey to follow.” The EASA certification requires Eclipse 500 aircraft to be equipped with Avio NG 1.5, plus optional equipment specific to European operations, such as a third attitude indicator and dual Mode S diversity transponders. The company said it continues to work toward receiving EU-OPS 1 approval, which will allow for commercial operation of the Eclipse 500 in Europe. Eclipse expects to receive EU-OPS 1 in time to allow many air-taxi services using the Eclipse 500 to be operational in Europe in 2009.