Epic aircraft nears certification
Epic Aircraft has finished FAA conformal test flights and estimates it’s only “a few months” away from final certification of the E1000 turboprop, a factory-built version of the speedy Epic LT kitplane.
“We’ve completed all FAA conformal flight testing and that’s a huge milestone for us,” said Epic CEO Doug King. “There’s only a few months left to go.”
“We’re going to start deliveries in the fourth quarter,” he said. “Our first airplanes are on the production line.”
The 1,200-horsepower, PT6A-powered turboprop is among the fastest of its breed with a top speed of 333 knots and a range of more than 1,600 nautical miles. It’s also exceptionally efficient with a fuel burn of about 50 gallons an hour at 34,000 feet.
Epic has been making experimental-category airplanes for a decade and working on certification for more than five years. The E1000 will be a certified version of the Epic LT; the E1000 first flew in 2015.
“It’s a big deal to certify a pressurized, high-performance airplane,” King quipped.
King said the company has 87 orders and 265 employees, and it’s “fully funded.” The airplanes have a retail price of $3.25 million.
“We’re ready to launch,” he said.
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