Citing its failure to meet performance guarantees, Eclipse Aviation is modifying the design for its Eclipse 500 very light jet and offering customers reduced costs to compensate for late deliveries, some of which may not come until September 2007.

As performance fell off the mark, Eclipse instituted a Performance Improvement Program which met the promised goal of 370 knots (TAS) and 1,125-nm range. The modifications are now undergoing certification which is expected between mid-March and mid-April. Changes include modification to tip tanks, a horizontal/vertical "bullet" fairing, covers for control surface hinges, extended rudder and elevator surfaces, modified engine pylons and nacelles, improved aerodynamic wheel covers and gear fairings, and a FADEC adjustment to allow more thrust at typical cruise altitudes. Eclipse will perform the modifications, expected to take three weeks per aircraft, at no cost to the operator.

In response to delivery delays, customers scheduled for delivery before next September 30 are able to cut their final payment due at delivery by 0.5 percent per month.