| E1000 | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Role | Light aircraft |
| National origin | United States |
| Manufacturer | Epic Aircraft |
| First flight | 19 December 2015 [1] |
| Introduction | February 2020 [2] |
| Status | In production |
| Produced | 2020-present |
| Developed from | Epic LT |
The Epic E1000 is an American single-engine, six-seat, turboprop light aircraft developed by Epic Aircraft of Bend, Oregon. [3] [4] [5]
A development of the kit-built Epic LT, the E1000 aircraft features a cantilever low-wing, a 6.5 psi pressurized cabin with an airstair door just ahead of the rear seats, retractable tricycle landing gear and a single 1,825 hp (1,361 kW) Pratt & Whitney Canada PT6-67A turboprop aircraft engine, de-rated to 1,200 hp (895 kW) engine in tractor configuration. The aircraft is predominantly made from carbon fiber and its 43 ft (13.1 m) span wing mounts flaps and winglets. [3]
The aircraft has a goal empty weight of 4,400 lb (2,000 kg) and a gross weight of 7,500 lb (3,400 kg), giving a useful load of 3,100 lb (1,400 kg) and a full-fuel payload of 1,100 lb (500 kg), allowing the fuel tanks and seats to all be filled. [3] Preliminary performance data shows a 325kt (600 km/h) maximum airspeed, 1,650nmi (3,050 km) range, 45USgal/h fuel consumption at cruise altitude, and a 34,000 ft operating ceiling. [6]
In 2013, the E1000 was launched, intended to be a type certificated, upgraded Epic LT kit plane. In 2014, Epic stopped selling the kit plane, the 54th and final one was delivered in the second quarter of 2019. [7]
In February 2014, Epic had ten orders for the type and initial deliveries were targeted for the second half of 2015. [8] In early 2014, the design was forecast for its first flight in June 2015, with certification then expected later in 2015. [3] By October 2014, it had 60 orders and Epic targeted 50 sales per year. [9] In October 2014, the manufacturer introduced the interior design which includes features such as club seating, adjustable tray tables in the cabin sidewalls, pockets large enough to stow a tablet computer, USB power outlets, cup holders and light-emitting diode light switches. The Garmin G1000 navigation system will include a synthetic vision system. [10] It includes SPD-Smart Electronically Dimmable Window (EDW) Systems. [11]
In 2015, certification slipped to 2016. [4] [5] [12] and the company forecast commencing deliveries in 2016, as well. [4] [13]
The E1000 first flew on 19 December 2015 and Epic reported "more than" 60 orders. [1] In May 2016, the first conforming prototype was under construction and certification was then expected to be completed in the fourth quarter of 2016, with customer deliveries forecast for early 2017. [14]
In October 2017, Epic reported 76 outstanding orders of the US$3.25M aircraft. The first prototype had accumulated 400 hours, while the production-conforming second prototype was nearing first flight. Russian-owned Epic was hoping at that time to complete type certification in 2018. [15] The second prototype flew in January 2018. [16]
In 2018, the company hoped to convert its 85 reservations into firm orders and planned a production capacity of 50 aircraft per year. [6] By 2018, the company had 250 employees, enough funds for certification and the initial production years. Eight to 12 aircraft are planned to be delivered in 2019, 24 in 2020, 36 in 2021 and 50 thereafter, with an ultimate market forecast of 80 to 90 units per year. The fuselage was tested to 18 psi, nearly three times its normal 6.6 psi pressurization, while the wing was tested to 19,044 lb (8,638 kg), deflecting to 31 in (79 cm). [17] By September 2018, after 700 hours of flight tests, Epic Aircraft maintained it would achieve its year-end type certification goal, with production certification following six months later. [7] By November 2018, the two prototypes had accumulated 800 hours and Epic expected US type inspection authorization in December for an early 2019 type certification and deliveries soon after, a two-year delay from earlier forecasts. [18] The final Epic LT kit plane was completed in June 2019. [19]
In November 2019, the design was FAA type certificated after a seven-year development effort, with the two prototypes completing more than 1,000 hours of flight testing. Initial customer deliveries against the existing 80 aircraft on order were planned before the end of 2019. [19] After delays imposed by the COVID-19 pandemic, in July 2020 the company received its FAA production certificate for the aircraft. [20]
The first aircraft was delivered in February 2020 before being leased back to Epic to support engineering projects, and the second aircraft was delivered in May. [2] In 2023, its equipped price was $4.45M. [21]
In July 2020 the E1000 was named as the winner of Flying magazine's 2020 Innovation Award. Flying's Editor-in-Chief Julie Boatman, noted the aircraft's deliveries starting during the COVID-19 pandemic, "we’re really pleased to be in a position to award the 2020 Innovation Award to Epic Aircraft for the phenomenal job that you’ve done, not just bringing the aircraft to certification over a couple of decades, but also in the midst of everything that we’ve been going through over the last 4 months now, to continue pushing forward, to get those first deliveries out the door, and into the hands of some extremely happy pilots". [22]
Data from Epic Aircraft [23]
General characteristics
Performance
Avionics
The Pilatus PC-12 is a pressurized, single-engined, turboprop aircraft manufactured by Pilatus Aircraft of Stans, Switzerland since 1991. It was designed as a high-performance utility aircraft that incorporates a large aft cargo door in addition to the main passenger door. Due to its efficient, high-utility design, the PC-12 is used by a large variety of operators. The main use for the aircraft is corporate transportation, but it is also used by fractional and small regional airlines, air-ambulance operators, and many government agencies, such as police departments and armed forces. The PC-12 is successful with 2,000 deliveries made as of May 2023.
The Piper M–Class is a family of American light aircraft manufactured by Piper Aircraft of Vero Beach, Florida. The aircraft are powered by single engines and have six seats. Twentieth century production of the class was all piston engined, but turboprop versions called the M500 and M600 are now also available.
The Cirrus Vision SF50, also known as the Vision Jet, is a single-engine very light jet designed and produced by Cirrus Aircraft of Duluth, Minnesota, United States.
The SyberJet SJ30 is a light business jet built by American company SyberJet Aircraft. In October 1986, Ed Swearingen announced the new design, a 6 to 8 person aircraft powered by two Williams FJ44 turbofans. Initially backed by Gulfstream Aerospace from October 1988, the Jaffe Group took over in September 1989 and the first SJ-30 flew on February 13, 1991 but development halted afterwards. The Taiwan-based Sino Swearingen Aircraft Corporation rescued the program, the jet was stretched by 4.3 ft into the SJ30-2 with a wingspan increased by six feet.
The Diamond DA50 is a five seat, single-engine, composite aircraft designed and built by Diamond Aircraft Industries. First shown in 2006, it made its maiden flight on 4 April 2007. The project has been proposed to be powered by several different engines, but was certified on 9 September 2020 with the Continental CD-300 diesel.
Epic Aircraft is a general aviation aircraft manufacturer headquartered in Bend, Oregon. The company produces the Epic E1000 GX single engine turboprop design.
The Gulfstream G400, G500, and G600 (GVII) are twin-engine business jets designed and produced by Gulfstream Aerospace. The aircraft are designated Gulfstream GVII-G500 and GVII-G600 in their type certificate.
The Epic LT is an American kit-built single-engined turboprop aircraft intended for use by private pilots. The Epic Dynasty was the proposed certified version of the LT that was intended be sold as a completed aircraft, prior to Epic Aircraft's bankruptcy in August 2009 and later acquisition by new owners in April 2010. Under ownership of the reorganized company, the certificated version is to be called the E1000, with first deliveries initially scheduled for 2015, but delayed until 2019.
The Daher Kodiak is an American utility aircraft designed by and originally manufactured by Quest Aircraft. Manufacturing was taken over by Daher in 2019 after its purchase of Quest Aircraft. The high-wing, unpressurized, single-engined turboprop has a fixed tricycle landing gear and is suitable for STOL operations from unimproved airfields.
The Tecnam P2012 Traveller is an eleven-seat utility aircraft designed and manufactured by the Italian company Costruzioni Aeronautiche Tecnam, based in Capua, Italy, near Naples.
The Eclipse 550 is a very light jet initially built by Eclipse Aerospace and later One Aviation of Albuquerque, New Mexico, United States. The aircraft is a development version of the Eclipse 500, which was produced by predecessor Eclipse Aviation. Like the 500, the 550 is a low-wing, six seat, twin engine jet-powered aircraft. The Eclipse 550 is certified for single-pilot operation.
Nextant Aerospace is a United States-based company specializing in the remanufacturing of business jets. Founded in 2007, Nextant is the first company to introduce the concept of aircraft remanufacturing to the business jet market.
The Diamond DA62 is a five- to seven-seat, twin-engine light aircraft produced by Diamond Aircraft Industries and first announced in March 2012.
The Cessna Citation Longitude is a business jet produced by Cessna, part of the Cessna Citation family. It remains the largest business jet by Cessna. Announced at the May 2012 EBACE, the Model 700 made its first flight on October 8, 2016, with certification obtained in September 2019. The aluminum airframe has the fuselage cross-section of the Citation Latitude, stretched by a seat row. Powered by Honeywell HTF7000 turbofans, it has a new ~28° swept wing and a T-tail for a 3,500 nmi (6,500 km) range.
The Pilatus PC-24 is a light business jet produced by Pilatus Aircraft of Switzerland. Following the success of the PC-12 single engine turboprop, work on the twin engine jet began in 2007 for greater range and speed, keeping the rugged airfield capability. The aircraft was introduced on 21 May 2013 and rolled out on 1 August 2014, with the maiden flight on 11 May 2015. The PC-24 received EASA and FAA type certification on 7 December 2017 and the first customer delivery was on 7 February 2018. Powered by two Williams FJ44 turbofans, it competes with the Embraer Phenom 300 and the Cessna Citation CJ4.
Flaris LAR01, also variously called the LAR 1 and LAR-1, is a Polish five-seat very light jet, currently under development by Metal-Master of Jelenia Góra. It is the only single-engined very light jet currently being developed by a non-American aircraft manufacturer.
The Beechcraft Denali, also known as the Model 220 and previously the Cessna Denali and Textron "Single Engine Turboprop" (SETP), is an American single engine turboprop aircraft under development by Textron Aviation. Announced at EAA AirVenture Oshkosh 2015, the aircraft is a completely new design, not derived from any existing aircraft. It should compete with the Pilatus PC-12 and Daher-Socata TBM, as well as other new projects such as the One Aviation Kestrel K-350 and the CAIGA Primus 150.
The Diamond DART is a series of tandem, two-seat civilian and military turboprop trainers manufactured by Austrian Diamond Aircraft, "DART" meaning Diamond Aircraft Reconnaissance Trainer.
The Stratos 714 is an American very light jet aircraft under development by Stratos Aircraft of Redmond, Oregon. The project was announced in July 2008, a prototype first flew on 21 November 2016, although Stratos currently lacks the funding to complete type certification. Predominantly made of carbon composite, the single turbofan aircraft would seat four to six at 400 kn (740 km/h) over up to 1,500 nmi (2,800 km).
The Cessna 408 SkyCourier is an American utility aircraft designed and built by the Cessna division of Textron Aviation. It was launched on November 28, 2017, with an order for 50 from FedEx Express, with the aircraft designed for the needs of its FedEx Feeder service. It made its first flight on May 17, 2020, and was type certified on March 11, 2022. FedEx took delivery of the first production model on May 9, 2022.
