FAA grants production certificate for Epic E1000

“Epic was poised several months ago to complete the FAA Production Audit, a precursor to Production Certificate, when the COVID-19 pandemic disrupted plans. FAA-mandated travel limitations restricted onsite visits, which are typically essential to the PC approval process,” the company said in a news release. “The FAA and Epic collaborated to devise new processes, using remote technologies, to conduct the required series of reviews and audits, prior to the final onsite assessment.”

Epic Aircraft CEO Doug King praised the FAA for finding creative ways to continue work toward a production certificate during the pandemic: “We applaud the FAA for their rapid adoption of these new tools and technologies in the face of this pandemic, allowing us to keep the PC process moving forward and ultimately achieving final approvals.”

The production certificate allows Epic Aircraft to accelerate E1000 deliveries by “enabling them to manufacture, flight test and issue airworthiness certificates with reduced FAA presence,” the company said, noting it has already delivered three in 2020.

The six-seat aircraft is powered by a Pratt & Whitney 1,200-horsepower PT6A-67A engine and can reach a max cruise speed of 333 knots, climb at 4,000 feet per minute, fly as high as 34,000 feet, and carry a 1,110-pound full-fuel payload, according to the company. The production aircraft is a version of the kit-built Epic LT that the company has been selling since 2005.