15 January 2016
Epic Aircraft has made the first flight of its E1000 single-engine turboprop aircraft. Epic used to offer the LT turboprop as a kitplane but in 2013 discontinued that aircraft to concentrate on developing the E1000 which the Oregon company intends to produce as a factory-built type certified aircraft.
The Epic E1000 prototype FT1 had its first flight from Bend in Oregon, USA. Epic Chief Pilot, David Robinson, said afterwards, “The aircraft handled extremely well and performed just as expected.”
Epic CEO Doug King said, “This is a tremendous accomplishment and I couldn’t be more proud of our team. We achieved our goal to fly FT1 by the end of the year, thanks to the hard work, long hours and dedicated commitment of our entire staff.”
The E1000 is aimed at owner pilots, as well as corporate, fractional and charter operations, said Epic.
Priced at $2.95 million ‘fully-equipped’, the E1000 all-composite airframe, powered by the 1200-horsepower Pratt & Whitney PT6A-67A turbine engine, can reach more than 325ktas, a range of 1650 nautical miles, climb rate over 4,000 feet per minute, a ceiling of 34,000 feet, and can carry full fuel payload of 1,120 pounds, claims the company.“
