Eclipse Mentor Program FAQs


1. What is the Eclipse Mentor Program?

The Eclipse 500 Pilot Mentoring Program is a critical element of the Eclipse 500 Training Program. It is intended to raise Eclipse 500 pilots to a level of proficiency such that they are competent to operate safely as a solo pilot in any environment they might fly.

Eclipse has screened, selected, and trained highly experienced jet pilots to accompany new Eclipse 500 pilots during their initial operating experience. Mentors do not function as flight instructors; instead they lend their extensive experience in aviation decision-making to the new jet pilot. Entry into challenging airports due to unique procedures and terrain or a Class B airport during rush hour may be part of the mentoring program. The program includes the type of flying the new Eclipse 500 pilot does the most, whatever that may be. These real world experiences in safely operating in diverse environments cannot be gained in a simulator or flight test device (FTD).

2. Why do I need a mentor?

Many Eclipse 500 operators will require SOE as dictated by FAR 61.63. Others will require mentoring because of a lack of jet piloting experience. Although some pilots may not be required by FAA regulation or insurance requirement to participate in this program, Eclipse Aviation believes it is so important that we made it an integral part of the Eclipse 500 flight training program. Consequently, mentoring is required by the operating limitations in the Aircraft Flight Manual (AFM). Ultimately, the Eclipse Mentor program ensures that the new Eclipse 500 pilot can meet the challenges of turbojet flight, initiate solutions, and demonstrate the capability to act as a single pilot in command.

3. How will the program tie in with achieving an Eclipse 500 type rating?

After passing the FAA practical test, an Eclipse 500 type rating is added to your pilot certificate. If the type rating was received in a simulator, there will be a restriction placed on it requiring the pilot to complete mentoring before the type rating becomes unrestricted. Upon successful completion of the Eclipse Pilot Mentoring Program, you will receive a completion certificate signed by Eclipse Aviation Flight Training and recognizing you as an Eclipse 500 captain. This certificate will satisfy the FAR SOE (supervised operating experience) requirements and the AFM operating limitations requirements allowing you to operate the Eclipse 500 as pilot in command.

If your type rating was received in your aircraft, an unrestricted certificate will be awarded. However, in accordance with an Eclipse 500 AFM limitation, the entire flight training program must be completed. This includes the mentor portion.

4. What criteria must a pilot meet in order to apply for an exemption from the Eclipse 500 Mentor Program?

To be exempt from the Eclipse Mentor Program, you must provide evidence that you have the necessary skills, experience, currency, and qualifications to successfully operate the Eclipse 500 as a single pilot in the full range of National Airspace Systems (NAS) environments; All of the following requirements must be met and documented to ensure that you are able to operate safely without mentoring. Meeting these requirements entitles you to apply for an exemption from the Mentor Program, but Eclipse Aviation reserves the right to either approve or deny your request.

  • Total experience:
    • 5000 flight hours
      • 1000 turbojet
      • 500 turbojet PIC
  • Recent experience:
    • Minimum of 100 hours in the last year;
    • 25 hours in the past 90 days operating a turbine-powered aircraft as a single pilot with at least a flight management system or GPS moving map navigator
  • Minimum of two turbojet type ratings.


*Note: In addition to providing evidence of the required number of hours to qualify for exemption, you must satisfactorily demonstrate single pilot performance of single pilot resource management, risk management, and automation management (at FITS level 5- "manage/decide") during type rating training AND successfully complete the type rating course and the practical test in the Eclipse 500. The Mentoring exemption does not exempt any pilot from the FAR SOE requirement per FAR 61.63.

5. How long will I be required to fly with a mentor?

Your mentoring experience, as with the type rating training, is proficiency-based. You will complete the mentoring program after you demonstrate proficiency in all the required events. A list of the required events will be determined at the completion of your type rating training and will be based primarily on your performance in the type rating training program.

You will have successfully completed the mentoring program when the following three requirements are met:

1. You demonstrate proficiency in the events prescribed in your individually-designed mentor program.

2. You complete the FAA-required supervised operating experience (SOE) that may apply to you under the provisions of FAR Section 61.63 (e) (15 hours for previous type rated pilots and 25 hours for non-type rated pilots).

3. Your Mentor Pilot is satisfied that you can safely operate the Eclipse 500 as a single pilot under any foreseeable conditions. The mentor will be the sole judge as to your competence regarding meeting, exceeding or complying with program standards.

6. How does a customer select a mentor pilot?

Mentors are chosen by the customer/pilot from an approved list provided by Eclipse. Eclipse recommends you thoroughly interview each mentor candidate that fits your flying needs and schedule, and that you do this prior to coming to your type rating training. Our goal is to provide mentors that are readily available and located throughout the United States for geographical convenience. There will also be a cadre of mentor pilots in the Albuquerque area to serve those who desire to complete their mentoring phase of training locally.

7.How much will mentoring cost?

All expenses and the daily rate for mentoring will be negotiated between the mentor and the customer/pilot. The customer/pilot will be responsible to pay the mentor directly. Eclipse has recommended a daily mentoring rate of $600 per day.

8. How often are mentors required to be available?

Mentors will be expected to be reasonably and consistently available for mentor services. We ask that a mentor be available nominally 15 days per month.

9. Will a mentor be required to travel to wherever the customer is located, and will there be a requirement for the amount of notice given the mentor?

Reasonable time should be afforded to the mentor to meet with the customer for mentoring; however, all arrangements for travel are negotiated between the mentor and the customer.

10. Can a customer request a new mentor pilot if there are incompatibility issues with the existing mentor pilot?

Occasionally, difficulties or conflicts may arise. These may due to any number of reasons. The mentor will attempt to resolve the issue professionally, on a one-on-one basis. If this is unsuccessful, the mentor or customer will contact the Eclipse Mentor Program Manager who will then intervene. After close examination of the issue, a recommendation will be made by the program manager, which may involve changing mentor pilots.

11. Is the mentor pilot the sole decision-maker when it comes to determining the length of time needed for mentoring? What if I disagree?

The mentor does not determine the length of time, number of flying hours, nor the events to be accomplished. These events will be tailored to individual requirements, as dictated by the pilot's performance and previous experience. Based on performance in type training and as determined by the manager of flight training, the pilot will be assigned an individual profile. This profile will be provided to the pilot and mentor prior to initiating mentoring. This profile will prescribe a list of events and the number of times each event must be accomplished. A pilot will not be released from mentoring until completion of the assigned profile and the mentor is satisfied without reservation that the pilot is safe to operate consistently as a single pilot in the Eclipse 500. The mentor will be the sole judge of the pilot's competence regarding meeting, exceeding or complying with program standards

12. Once trained as a mentor, is there a contractual length of time that the mentor will be required to work with Eclipse?

Yes, due to the significant discount offered to our mentors for their type rating training, mentors are required to sign and fulfill a two-year contract with Eclipse, or they will be subject to payback of at least a partial cost of training. Eclipse will ensure that the mentoring service to our customers is adequately-staffed at all times.

13. Can mentors be hired to ferry aircraft for non-type rated owner-operators? How much can mentors charge for this service?

Yes, mentors may ferry your aircraft to a location you desire. Again, all expenses and rates are negotiated between the mentor and the pilot and paid to the mentor by the pilot. Eclipse recommends a daily mentoring rate of $600 per day.

14. Are there any exceptions to the minimum requirements to become a mentor?

Mentors are chosen by Eclipse Aviation on the basis of a superlative record as a professional aviator and aviation instructor as well as demonstrated enthusiasm for aviation in general. The minimum requirements are hard requirements; however, all applications are considered based on the skills and experience represented in the applications and resumes. The field is full of highly experienced pilots and our goal is to select the best of the best, so if you don't meet the minimums, you will likely not be selected to become a mentor.

15. Can customers request a personal friend or associate to become his or her mentor?

No. The mentor program is based on an objective evaluation of the pilot's performance to ensure a safe transition from type rating to real world operational experience. Although all our mentors are screened for their professionalism and integrity, we can not guarantee objectivity in the case of a personal friend of a customer. Objectivity and impartiality are essential ingredients of the mentoring process and the Eclipse training philosophy. Because of this, Eclipse does not accept requests for a personal friend or associate to become a customer's mentor.

16. How many mentors will Eclipse be selecting?

Eclipse anticipates contracting about 100 mentors at the height of our training, which is driven by the aircraft production schedule and customer demand. There are more than 600 hundred active applicants in the pool, allowing Eclipse to be very selective in finding the best of the best pilots.

17. How can I become a mentor?

Eclipse has established a formal application process for the Eclipse 500 Mentor Program. Upon completing the online application and attaching a resume, your qualifications will be reviewed for acceptance into this program. The minimum qualifications to be considered an Eclipse Mentor Pilot are provided here.

NOTE: Currently, Eclipse is not accepting additional applications for mentors though we may choose to do so again in the future.