Mesa (Ariz.) Falcon Field-based Sabena Airline Training Center (SATC) yesterday received Eclipse 500 type-rating training approval from the FAA, making it the first third-party training facility to offer type rating courses in the very light jets. The center acquired its first Eclipse 500s in August and said more will join the fleet this year as deliveries of the VLJs increase and owner-pilots require training. “We strongly believe in the development of the VLJ market in general and the Eclipse in particular and wanted, therefore, to be the first approved independent training center for the EA500,” noted SATC managing director and head of training Kris Van den Bergh. “Our focus will be to deliver high-quality training with the highest safety standards, equivalent to airline training.” The first customer training course is expected to begin early next month and take between 10 to 15 days to complete, depending on the candidates’ experience levels. Besides type-rating training, SATC will introduce the Eclipse 500 as part of an ab-initio training package.